Arsenal: The 3 players destined for international involvement

There were countless pleasing aspects from the 2-0 win over Leicester. From everywhere you look there were notable individual performances and reassuring signs of an Arsenal team on the up.

Mikel Arteta oversaw what is now a ninth game unbeaten in all competitions as goals from Gabriel and Emile Smith Rowe inside 18 minutes were enough to defeat their fellow top six rivals.

With encouraging displays all round, there was one in particular who grabbed the headlines.

Summer signing Aaron Ramsdale put in a majestic display in goal as he drew praise from none other than Peter Schmeichel for his unreal flying stop to prevent James Maddison from reducing the visitors’ lead late in the first half. That was one moment on a memorable afternoon that featured elite distribution and further top class saves.

The 3 Arsenal players destined for international involvement as Mikel Arteta’s squad continue to develop as Premier League form continues after Leicester

In four away matches for the stopper he’s recorded a 100% save percentage (17/17), kept four clean sheets and clocked up a 5.2 for goals prevented. As noted by Opta, of all the goalkeepers to have faced more than two shots on target this season, only Édouard Mendy (89.7%) is enjoying a higher save percentage than the 23-year-old. (85.7%). He’s saved 24 of the 28 shots on target he has faced.

These aren’t numbers you ignore. And these aren’t numbers that Gareth Southgate can overlook for much longer either.

Key among his decision to field Jordan Pickford as England’s number one is his distribution. Having another indifferent campaign for Everton, his passing range and comfort with the ball at his feet has not been at the level Ramsdale is producing. What the latter transmits in an organisational sense and the confidence he brings to his defence is marvelous.

That isn’t to say Pickford will suddenly be usurped. This is a goalkeeper who had an excellent Euros and helped guide his country to their first major final since 1966. Ramsdale is in the better form but Southgate won’t forget the Toffees stopper’s contributions to date.

So, at the very least, he has to be second in command ahead of Sam Johnstone. Chosen over Ramsdale in the Three Lions’ recent win over Andorra, the West Brom man had a very impressive outing and even got an assist with a superb piece of quick thinking.

But Ramsdale is on a trajectory that can’t possibly be overlooked for much longer. Furthermore, he’s playing Premier League football, which Johnstone isn’t. This is serious competition for a spot in the England World Cup squad and at this rate Ramsdale has a better chance than anyone of dislodging Pickford in the team.

He’s not the only one banging on the international door, either.

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Emile Smith Rowe Set for England Senior Call-Up

Is there a more in-form England player in his position? No. No there is not.

The competition for forward places in Southgate’s squad is admittedly fierce. He’s spoiled for choices. Looking through the team and seeing the like of Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden not even be certified starters is testament to that.

And while Emile Smith Rowe has a long way to go before he can be a regular feature for the national team, England’s upcoming international fixtures with Albania and San Marino would be perfect opportunities to hand the 21-year-old a call-up.

Needing four points to secure top spot in their World Cup qualifying group, there is little fear in England securing any less than a maximum six, especially with Albania, the tougher of the two fixtures, being played at Wembley.

Thus San Marino would be a the ideal chance for Smith Rowe to make his England senior bow. For the most recent set of internationals the manager even admitted that the Hale Ender was ‘very close’ to being selected.

The numbers don’t lie, either. His strike against Leicester took him up to five goal involvements for the season, the same as Mason Mount, one more than Foden, two more than Jack Grealish and more than Lingard, Sterling, Maddison and Sancho combined.

His chance is just around the corner. If he was close before then he can’t possibly be nearer to getting a maiden call.

And there is someone else who has to be joining him.

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Benjamin White is One of the Best English Central Defenders

Overlooked last time out, the final member of this squad who has to, at the very least, be in England contention is Benjamin White.

After a rocky start to life in north London the 24-year-old has settled superbly and been in exceptional form. Alongside Gabriel the pair have helped steer the club on a seven-game unbeaten run in the league, recording four clean sheets and conceding just four goals.

Looking every part a £50m player, his intelligence off the ball and athleticism getting across the grass has allowed Arsenal to play more front-footed football, and his superpower is becoming a more common occurrence.

Few defenders can carry the ball out of the back like he can. Excellent agility in short bursts, neat technical control and strength to hold off opposition players, it’s a unique tool he can use if lanes are cut off to distribute. His overall passing has looked top drawer and in the air he’s dispelled talk of him being weak in duels.

Are there many better English central defenders around at the moment? Harry Maguire remains a fridge, John Stones somehow gets selected every week despite never playing for his club, Tyrone Mings is having a poor season at Villa, while Conor Coady is not agile enough, nor is he international standard.

Fikayo Tomori is an exciting young prospect, but Southgate has to see what White is doing in the Premier League as more worthy of reward.

Selfishly, these three Arsenal men will continue to have the international breaks off to recover. Less minutes for England, more minutes for Arsenal.

But the trio are en route to being with the group every squad. Their consistency, underlying metrics and familiarity with one another has to play into their advantage. With the way they’re going it would be a shock if even one of the three was exempt from Southgate’s upcoming squad.

For years Arsenal have only seen the occasion Danny Welbeck call-up for England. Now they’ve got one certainty and three huge probabilities.