Arsenal coach ‘shocked’ by club’s recent shock ‘failure’

Per Mertesacker was “shocked” by Arsenal’s “failure” to have a single player in the last England squad.

Of the 23 players Gareth Southgate called up for England’s recent Euro 2020 qualifying victories over Bulgaria and Kosovo, none belong to Arsenal.

Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Bournemouth, Burnley and West Ham all had representatives but Arsenal’s most recent England international remains the departed Danny Welbeck.

Former Gunner Mertesacker, who is now the club’s Academy manager, describes that as “a failure” on their part.

“I was shocked,” he told The Athletic.

“No senior England players. That’s unacceptable. That’s a failure.

“When you look at the England squad, you see players from Tottenham, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea…

“They all have players there – and not one. Two or three. That’s what we need.

“We used to joke about having a ‘British core’ – Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey – but that’s essentially what we need.

“It’s for everyone. It’s for the club. It helps create the energy and the bigger belief in what we do. It allows the fans to connect with the team. The British core ensures the English language is first, it creates the culture. It’s important.”

 

Click Here: Cardiff Blues Store