Roy Hodgson has named his England squad for friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands, selecting two Arsenal players for international duty.
There are call-ups for forwards Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott but Kieran Gibbs (dropped) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (injured) haven’t made the latest squad after representing England back in November.
Welbeck has played well for Arsenal since returning from a 10-month spell out with a knee injury and is a favourite of Roy Hodgson’s.
“I think he looks good, he looks sharp,” said the England manager on Thursday. “I think his performance last night was very good.
“I know Arsène (Wenger) is very happy with the way he’s come back and the form he’s shown so now it’s a chance for him to show that form with us.”
Walcott is also in but is far less of a regular fixture in Hodgson’s selections, often struggling to get into games.
England captain wayne Rooney is injured but England still have Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling in the squad as well as the two Arsenal men, meaning there’s plenty of competition for places in the frontline.
Germany are expected to call up Mesut Özil, meaning the Arsenal playmaker could go up against two teammates in Berlin at the end of the month.