The Daily Star named four Arsenal players in their list of 10 England starts who need a transfer to help make the 2018 World Cup squad – Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs.
The full 10-man list from the Daily Star can be read here
Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere spent last season on loan with Bournemouth, ending his time in the South Coast with a hairline fracture of his left fibia. The England international suffered from inconsistency in the second-half of the campaign at Bournemouth too and will miss the start of next season. His chances of representing the Three Lions next summer are slim at Arsenal given the stiff competition for playing time.
Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott enjoyed a bright start to the season and ended the campaign with a respectable 10 goals in 28 Premier League appearances. However, a fall out with his manager led to him being dropped or the final few months. He’s determined to fight for more game time but Arsenal’s current system doesn’t see a place for him in the side. He’s had the worst luck in a World Cup season, missing out unfairly or through injury or not featuring when selected, but a positive campaign could see him back in the reckoning.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain arguably has his England spot to lose next season, having impressed in 2016/17 and being a good performer for the Three Lions in the past. There are still question marks over his best position for club and country but England manager Gareth Southgate is a fan of the 23-year-old and will only leave him out of the 2018 World Cup squad if he wasn’t playing next season.
Kieran Gibbs
Kieran Gibbs definitely has to leave Arsenal if he wants to represent his country again. With two left-backs – Sean Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal – ahead of him in the pecking order at club level, game time is likely to allude him at Arsenal next season. And with two left-backs – Ryan Bertrand and Danny Rose – ahead of him in the pecking order at international level. Gibbs has played so few games in the last two seasons that his form has been inconsistent. It’s hard to see him making the squad.