Arsenal star quartet earn England international call-ups

There has been a welcome break from international football over the winter period with domestic action taking centre stage, during which time Arsenal have taken huge strides towards finishing in the top four.

A 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday set the Gunners back slightly but with Aston Villa to come on the weekend they have an immediate chance to banish the disappointment of midweek.

To be in the position where Champions League football is even a possibility is a credit to the players and coaching staff who have turned their season around after the horror opening. Improvements have been noticeable across the board, just as the introductions of certain individuals have played a huge role.

The arrival of Aaron Ramsdale into the side has taken most by surprise. Since usurping Bernd Leno in the team there has been a collective solidity at the back, with organisation and communication at an all-time high, all of which is without mentioning his fine distribution and superb shot-stopping capabilities.

Arsenal star quartet Benjamin White, Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe earn England international call-ups for friendlies vs Switzerland & Ivory Coast

Just in front of him is Benjamin White, who has been the outstanding English central defender in the Premier League this season. Playing more minutes than anyone else in the whole squad, his consistency and ability on the ball is supplemented by leadership and solid defensive proficiency.

Not as new on the block, although still with a career in its infancy, is Bukayo Saka. The Star Boy has elevated his game to even higher levels this season with his goal contributions rising as well as his tactical intelligence and physicality. He is a generational talent who, it comes as no surprise, has been selected in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.

Bizarrely overlooked last time out, White does make it in this time along with Ramsdale, who made his senior Three Lions debut in the most recent World Cup qualifying match against San Marino.

Another player who earned his first England cap in that game was Emile Smith Rowe, who marked the occasion with a debut goal, and he has been surprisingly included in the latest squad by Southgate. Pleasantly so, and the right call based on his form across the season.

Yet it would have been somewhat understandable for him to miss out. He may have scored five league goals since his last international appearance, but injuries and the form of Gabriel Martinelli has seen him limited to just five starts in the 15 league games following England’s thumping 10-0 win. Nonetheless, it’s hugely welcome news. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho misses out.

As for the other three, it is about d*mn time that White got some recognition for his performances this season, especially with the other usually relied upon central defenders in the international squad either not earning minutes or performing nowhere near his level. Tyrone Mings, that includes you.

Both of the Three Lions’ games will be played at Wembley, with the first coming up against Switzerland on March 26, followed by Nicolas Pepe’s Ivory Coast on March 29.