Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka have been called up to the England squad, whilst Emile Smith Rowe is involved with the u21s.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale makes a save from Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Italy as Kieran Trippier of England looks on during the UEFA Nations League - League A Group 3 match between England and Italy at Molineux on June 11, 2022. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale makes a save from Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Italy as Kieran Trippier of England looks on during the UEFA Nations League – League A Group 3 match between England and Italy at Molineux on June 11, 2022. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka have been named in the England squad for the upcoming international break, with Gareth Southgate’s side set to take on Malta and North Macedonia in Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Despite talk that Southgate had also reached out to Ben White over a potential future recall to the England squad, there was no call-up for him on this occasion.

It’s unclear whether that’s a sign that White was opposed to an England return, or simply that Southgate didn’t plan to call White up on this occasion and was instead laying the groundwork for the future.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of England U21 is tackled by Mohamed Simakan of France U21 during the International Friendly match between England U21 and France U21 at The King Power Stadium on March 25, 2023. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of England U21 is tackled by Mohamed Simakan of France U21 during the International Friendly match between England U21 and France U21 at The King Power Stadium on March 25, 2023. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Emile Smith Rowe is another of Arsenal’s England internationals not involved in the first-team squad on this occasion, but he’s been called up for the u21s.

With Smith Rowe’s minutes so limited this campaign, it’s not a huge surprise to see him missing out on the senior squad.

The England u21s are holding a training camp at St. George’s Park ahead of the u21 Euros this summer.

The tournament kicks off on June 21st, and the final squad will be announced on June 14th. You’d imagine Smith Rowe has a good shot at making it into that squad, assuming there are no issues in training.

AL KHOR, QATAR: Bukayo Saka of England is fouled by Aurelien Tchouameni of France in the box resulting in a penalty during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-final match between England and France at Al Bayt Stadium on December 10, 2022. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
AL KHOR, QATAR: Bukayo Saka of England is fouled by Aurelien Tchouameni of France in the box resulting in a penalty during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-final match between England and France at Al Bayt Stadium on December 10, 2022. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

England are still in the early stages of their Euro qualifying campaign, having only played two of their eight matches, but they’ve made a strong start following their wins over Ukraine and Italy.

Two further wins over the June break would see them in pole position at the midway point in the group.

As for the u21s, they’ve been drawn in a group alongside the Czech Republic, Israel, and Germany, facing the three teams in that order between June 22nd and June 28th.

If the England u21s can make it to the knockout stages and beyond, the tournament will go on until July 8th. So Smith Rowe’s participation could affect his involvement in Arsenal’s pre-season, which is likely to kick off around that time.