England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed his 23-man squad for this summer’s World Cup and it’s good news for both Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who’ve made the list despite concerns over their fitness.
The duo will now have the next few weeks to work on their fitness as they look to feature in the Three Lions’ opening game against Italy on 14 June.
Wilshere, who fractured his foot a couple of months ago playing for England against Denmark, made his first team comeback yesterday against Norwich, while Arsene Wenger claimed that Oxlade-Chamberlain should be back in first team training on Wednesday.
Theo Walcott’s ACL injury sees him miss out on the chance to make his World Cup debut while the Gunners’ English full-back duo, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson, have been overlooked.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Fraser Forster (Celtic).
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (England), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United).
Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).
Attackers: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United).
Standby: John Ruddy (Norwich City), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Andy Carroll (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC).
Phil Jagielka (England) – hmmmm.
Sorry?
Oh I see.
Wasn’t my first issue with the line-up! But well spotted.
If Kieran Gibbs played for ANY other English team he would be on the plane, two good seasons from him now, shame, feel for the kid
I wonder if it is injury fitness concerns,otherwise I think Woy could be left to rue that decision – ample Champions League experience but instead he opts for two fairly untested youmgsters
How on Earth is Kieran Gibbs not even on standby when jon flanagan is
Shaw is a great player, but I feel Gibbs edges it. Especially as experience is on his side with CL etc.
His tournament will come I have no doubt of that.
I also read somewhere this morning that utd put in a £27 mill bid for Shaw this morning; isn’t that Fellani quality then?
If they pay £27m to get him then I am happy, he is not exactly the player who will get em back on track.. They’ll sign several but spending that kind of money on Shaw is just stupid to be honest. He’ll be an really good player one day but buying him for that type of money now is extremly stupid..
Let’s just hope we spend our money wisely, (If we spend any at all that is).
Apparently because he can play on both flanks
Maybe Gibbs will be too short fitness-wise.
Considering AW’s reaction when asked about JW in press conferences, the England manager probably inquired about Gibbo too.
If a player of his quality isn’t even making the reserve list, there has to be a reason.
Good point, maybe Gibbs is needed pre-season to stop Henry. However we would need all of Brazil’s rioters to do that.
Who´s for Gibbs instead of Shaw?
gibbs any day for me. Hodgson has just bowed to the pressure
Good. Let Shaw play all summer, then sign for Liverpool and suffer from 2nd season syndrome on top of physical exhaustion while they pay his wages.
Meanwhile, Gibbs should get a good summer under his belt and come back suitably refreshed.
Gibbs have done okay, but not great compared to shaw this season. Shaw for example have created 3 times as many chances as Gibbs, and he wins alot more duels. He has been remarkably solid for an18 year old. Incredibly talented boy. But i Agree Gibbs should have been on standby.
Nonsense. Shaw is a good player but fact is Gibbs has experience playing champions league and international football consistantly. Id think any top level international winger isnt going to be exactly quaking in their boots at the prospect of going up against a relatively unknown untested 18 year old. If baines gets injured are we really going to give him his first caps in the middle of a world cup? isnt this just a bit of an unnessesary risk? unless roy is hedging his bets on baines staying fit and shaw’s an unused sub going along ‘for the experience’ a… Read more »
Shaw has Draxleritis. A condition caused by enthustic agents and the selling club. Symptoms include talented young players being over valued by over 20m. The player usually has a lot of potential, but hasn’t proved it at a big club or the highest level yet. Despite this, a defender may be ‘worth’ 30m or a midfielder anything up to 60m. At times, some clubs in desperation will pay the amounts requested. Examples include Liverpool paying 35m for a donkey lampost striker. Players with England caps seem to suffer more than others with the disease.
As talented as shaw is still think Gibbs deserved to go..
Look Gibbs is a good playa, but there are three better English left backs unfortunately.
Three?
You can argue two; at a push.
Cole Baines Shaw, who is Gibbs better than?
Gibbs is better than shaw
Gibbs is better than Shaw and I also prefer him above Leighton Baines. Comparing him with Seamus Coleman is quite hard tbh, because that player has very good offensive qualities while Gibbs is a stability in the back and up front.
I think it’s strange to pick players like Flanagan above Gibbs, I personally don’t understand what Hodgson see’s in Flanagan.
Well of the three you mentioned, Gibbs is currently better than Cole, Baines, and Shaw. These guys are pretty good, but can they compete against internationals game after game as Gibbs has proven he can in CL? We’ll see this summer. I’m sure Gibbs was probably left out due to injury concerns. He’s been in and out all season (and seasons before that) and is only just now coming back. It would take some time to hit top form again. Chambo and Wilshire on the other hand have a similar situation on fitness and form, but there is less competition… Read more »
What Hodgson sees in Flanagan is Liverpool guilt. He really fucked up there so keeps on over-compensating with their players.
Baines and Shaw are both decent going forward but can both be caught out in defence. I think Gibbs has that advantage over both of them. Oh well nice off season break after being overlooked he should be raring to go for next season.
Exactly that. Why take two left backs and leave out one who is more stable, better experience and better defensively. Also, i wondered why before Hodgson’s selection, many pundits left out Wilshere saying it’s because he’s been injured and yet they included Chambo who is just returning from injury in a injury hit season. Me thinks the media are still down on Jack for no reason as they were at points earlier this season. I’m glad Woy picked ’em both. Mny have neither of ’em in their starting line up, but good as Liverpool and Southampton players have been this… Read more »
I agree that Cole is still amongst the best, its only Theo who takes him to town. Playing wise he is amongst Arsenals finest products.
but if he’s not going then he’s not going. You surely can’t think Flanagan is better then Gibbs, can you jonnycakes?
Shaw have been the better player this season, so he deserve it. Hodgson have to pick the players whom he believes will make for the best possible team. And Shaw have been hands down the best English left back this season, and i Think he truly deserve to go.
Does not make sense to pick Gibbs over Shaw in any way you look at it based on the performance this season and current form. I think it is your Arsenal heart thinking here 🙂
I can only think it’s his injury record, can’t be sure he’ll be fit for the whole tournament. Talent-wise I think he should definitely go.
England still look weak at right-back, if Jenkinson gets more games next season he could “make the shirt his own” in the next few years (if you’ll forgive the tabloid type terminology).
Take off your Arsenal Goggles. I love Gibbs as much as anyone, but to say he has been better than Shaw this season, then you either have not watched any other games but the Arsenal ones this season, or you are just generally clueless. I cant show you the games, but i can go through some stats which is the next best thing. Appearances: Gibbs – 28. Shaw – 35 Chances Created: Gibbs – 12. Shaw – 33 Pass Accuracy: Gibbs – 79%. Shaw – 79% Successfull Tackles: Gibbs – 46% 44/95. Shaw – 59% 61/104 Headed duels won: Gibbs… Read more »
yes but were not playing shit premiership teams which is where the most of those statistics come from, in world cups you come up against quality sides who are properly motivated. In internationals id rather a player who was solid and consistent even if they havnt quite got the edge going forward.
At some point were going to be under massive pressure from teams like italy, personally id prefer experience to deal with that than a player who may be a bit caught a little rabbit-in-the-headlights, especially if he has to come on midway due to injury.
These statistics are league only, so it is against the same teams.
Lies
damn lies
statistics
what about interceptions, dont leave out key defensive stats, thats just bogus…gibbs murders shaw and every left back in interceptions.
Gibbs is better at interceptions. But i also notice since yesterday Shaw have got updated his stats, so his final stats says he average 5 defensive actions a game, while gibbs average 7 defensive actions Per game. 28% of Gibbs defensive actions are interceptions, while for Shaw interceptions are 19.4%. So ye, Gibbs seem more solid defensively, While Shaw have been better going forward 🙂 70.4% of Gibbs defense involvement is clearances, while 78% of Shaw defensive involvement is clearances. Both are 1%ish for blocks. But since Gibbs average 2 more defensive involvements a game over Shaw he will be… Read more »
Never mind that, the only thing Tom Cleverley should be on standby for is a foot transplant list
As a Gooner first, I’m chuffed in particular for Alex and Jack. As a Scot second, I’m also delighted for Fraser Forster who has been fairly immense in a fairly moderate league, but I feel is very much deserving of his place.
12 months ago, what would have been the odds on Luke Shaw to get in over Ashley Cole, and Jon Flanagan to be on standby? Remarkable how much can change in a year.
Cashley retired from international football yesterday (lol)
He retired from English football AFTER he was informed that he’s not going to go to the World Cup though.
Cole was then a conscientious objector once he was told the war had ended?
If the war begins again I hope Gibbs gets it. Can he? Now Cole has retired from international football?
Yeah, well, those grapes were probably sour anyway.
Forster as the Fabianksi replacement please.
What does Gibbs have to do to get a look in?
One of the most under-rated English players in the country.
Can only think that his injury record has gone against him.
Jon Flanagan? Pfft.
Gibbs will be first choice at the next WC.
Jordan Hendersoon? Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.!
I laughed so much my bum fell off.
Jordan Henderson has developed into a good player. Those 6 ridiculously overrated players from Man Utd, a mid-table team, however…
Hodgson is perpetuating the myth that Arsenal don’t have any English players. Well good luck, since I am not English, I will not shed a tear if a terrible performance from Welbeck and Smalling…
Jones?
Every time I’ve seen Jordan Henderson I am left with the feeling that couldn’t pass to a teammate if they were both locked in a phone box. However, much like most other English midfielders, he has limitless energy and can run up and down to no particular effect all day long. Let’s see him do that in Manaus while the Italians look at him as if he’s potty while passing around him.
Phonebox that’s not necessarily an easy pass to make…
Hahaha Why, you don’t even need to touch the ball and you’ve passed it.
Shame about Gibbs and only having 2 Arsenal players (Theo not included) going. It would be nice to have a few more England internationals at Arsenal. If Gerrard crosses for Sturridge to get the winner in the final you know the mugsmashers are going to claim THEY won the World Cup. Nice to see them quiet for a bit now anyway.
Lucky if we get out of the group let alone get to the final.
Gibbs got screwed. Jack and Ox should not be taken, they are not fit!
Agreed! I could swear Jack plays more England games than Arsenal games…
Welbeck hahahaha
Whats that? Like 6 United players that wouldnt even make the Arsenal reserves the way they played this season, yet coleman (english?), Gibbs and Jenko dont go…. BULLSHIT!!… FUCK THIS!!!
If you’re talking about Seamus Coleman he’s Irish.
Coleman- Irish. But your point about the Utd players is valid
Coleman’s Irish, was born in Donegal.
Could Ramsey’s mother not have driven to the other side of the border at least!
As an Irishman I wish she had taken the ferry….
Coleman’s Irish.
Seamus Coleman is Irish, Not English.
Jon Flanagan’s inclusion on the standby list is interesting, I was under the impression he was willing to pledge his allegiance to Ireland.
Also echo the comments about Gibbs – It’s a shame he is constantly overlooked but in fairness Baines is a better player. It’s debatable whether Shaw is better than Gibbs.
Coleman is Irish
Coleman is Irish
Might as well say it too:
Coleman is Irish
It’s still unanimous – Coleman is Irish.
Gibbs is unlucky, but otherwise I think that’s the best squad he could pick. The standby list is scary though!
I’m sad for Gibbs. It’s probably better for his post injury recovery, but I’m always pleased for any Arsenal player that gets called up. he must be gutted.
There is about 50 other english players who should have got on the standby list before cleverly
Welbeck and Lambert?! Hahaha! What a pile of shit.
That is one shite squad. I doubt Jack and Ox are really fit and will barely feature.
lambert is pretty sick, watch him play sometime.
Oh, wait thats right, the owl is a failed liverpool manager it all makes sense. Why else would he take so many almighty chokers to the most pressure sport event on the planet?
Wtf!!! Shaw ahead of gibbs (and hate to say it, but cole as well) and FLANAGAN on standby ahead of gibbs as well. Jesus Christ that has upset me, as well as the massive contingent of fucking shit manchester united players the ONLY man u player i’d like there is welbeck, got knack of scoring for england. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, are apparently better than Caulker? I definetely dont think so, that also reminds me, since Cardiff are going down and we need a good young backup defender – look no further than Caulker i say, hes been fantastic… Read more »
We’d have to wash the Spud stink off him first though.
Gerrard and Lampard confuses me? Gerrard maybe but ideally not. But both?
Double-you, Tea, Eff.
I have a question for those Arsenal fans who are English – How particular are you about Arsenal players playing for England? I am not English and how well England do in the World Cup is not that important for me. What’s more important is all the Arsenal players are fit and firing for the next season. I am happy that Ramsey is not playing the World Cup because I am sure he would give 110% effort for Wales and there is a good chance he will be a bit knackered by the time the next season starts. In fact,… Read more »
I want them to play for england, annoys be arsenal fans sayng “i dont give a shit about he world cup i just want our players fit”
Dont be so fucking selfish
I’m sure you’ll be saying that if/when they come home crocked and out for 6 months of next season.
I’m not English, I’m happy for the players on a personal level and love seeing them play in the summer at the world cup but Arsenal always come first!!
Maybe Hodgson, in his infinite wisdom, has figured out that age old mystery of how to play Gerrard and Lampard together.
As for Gibbs, disappointed he didn’t make it but not at all surprised.
Please, no. That partnership is played out. It failed when they were younger, why would it even work now. Even Gerrard and Henderson is better right now. But for sure I’d go Gerrard and Wilshere.
Glad the Ox is going, but Wilshere should have been left out. Jack is still recovering from his injury and isn’t fit enough to be included in a World Cup squad. England have made the stupid mistake of picking unfit players for major tournaments in the past and have always lived to regret it. And Wilshere’s form hasn’t been that great this season anyway. Hodgeson has made an outrageous decision by picking Luke Shaw ahead of both Gibbs and Ashley Cole. Like others on this page I agree that Gibbs is a better full-back than Shaw (and far more experienced),… Read more »
Do you do this on purpose?
Ox is till injured and won’t be in the team on Saturday unfortunately.
And I rate Jack in an England shirt above all of the below even with a below par season behind him:
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
And another thing I disagree on, we make last 16 I’d expect a Jenkinson style celebration from all.
I don’t even have to reply now, you picked it right out of my mind. ….Oh…
If England make the last 8, then clearly they would not be crap
On an unrelated note, how is it possible that Liverpool and United have put in bids for Lallana and Shaw? This is illegal isn’t it? Wenger has specifically stated that players won’t be signed until after the World Cup, presumably then Liverpool and Man U will be facing some kind of sanctions?
Can someone please clarify or is Wenger talking shit?
Wenger is stating that he himself is unlikely to sign someone before the world cup. It is not illegal for teams to do so however. Unfortunately it seems very unlikely that Arsenal will try and get someone before the world cup.
I wish he’d go before the World Cup
I think you can’t sign players until ,July, but you can do the groundwork before then. To be fair though imwantmWnger concentrating on Saturday before anything else
Y’all just disrespecting Hull, on about transfers and that. Don’t you realize United and Liverpool’s seasons are over and ours is not.
it’s debatable whether or not gibbs should’ve been picked ahead of shaw or baines…but at the very least he needed to be on standby instead of flanagan. that is just ridiculous. i hope this gives him extra motivation to improve over the summer and prove doubters wrong… now just waiting to see diaby called up to france tomorrow! i’m being serious, he will be called up.. i have watched every france game since the last world cup, and as long as he’s been playing he has clearly been their best player. deschamps is a huge fan and he will take… Read more »
I would much prefer it if they went out and had a good break from football. Got pissed, let their hair down and had a good time before returning to The Arsenal for a full preseason.
Fuck England! England have no chance of winning anything in international football so dont waste our talented players and risk further injuries with little to no compensation.
Internationals are irrelevant now anyway as the major tournament in world football is the Champions League.
hahahahaha Toronto Fc, powerhouse of football!
I would say Toronto more so than Jagielka’s (England)
For once I absolutely agree with Fatgooner! Gibbs hands down is a better LB than Shaw. I’m more worried about England’s RB w/ Glen Johnson playing on the right. His defensive awareness is appalling. If jenko had more playing this season I sure he would have been called up ahead of Flanagan & Johnson.
Wilshere should have not gone to the WC because he still isn’t fit & his form has been very poor.
I’m going to have to disagree with one point FatGooner made, that Ox is more fit than Jack. Ridiculous. Jack had a slight fracture in his foot, simple, its been 8 weeks. He’s fresh, did you not see the game yesterday? Ox has been having ligament, muscle, and groin problems. If either of them should stay home it should most certainly be the Ox.
Every England Manager makes some stupid team selections happens every World Cup.. at the end of the day England wont get far anyway so it doesnt really matter. English football is dead anyway
Gibbs is a defender first and attacker second. those 2 are left wingers who play left back. Dont think Shaw is better than Gibbs but hype is hype. Remember An-DROS Townsend? Think England need very good central midfeilders if they want to play like City do with Zabaleta and Kolarov but they took Fat Frank and Steven “Hollywood-pass” Gerrard. they’ll be killed by quick teams. last of all. SPURS HAVE NO PLAYERS IN THE ENGLAND SQUAD OR RESERVES AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH!!!
As much as I would love to have seen Gibbs go to the World Cup as he has been brilliant this season, Shaw & Baines have both been on top form ALL season without constant injuries. However he definitely should have been on stand-by but I feel Flanagan is there more as cover for RB (natural position after all) and we all know he is an upgrade of that twat who plays on the dirty scummy disguting side of North London!
P.S please bring Jack & Ox back with all bones, ligaments & muscle in tact thanks
but where is Seamus Coleman from?
hmmm… you’ve stumped me there.
Bulgaria?
Yes – Nodnol, Bulgaria (871 selim away)
I think some you need your head’s checked. Gibbs is a good player but he’s hardly played more than a string of games together. Let’s be realistic about this- you’re giving Flanagan of unjust slack here. He has been in excellent form for most of the season and his emergence into holding down a starting spot in that Liverpool back 4 coincided with their epic winning run for the title. Luke Shaw likewise has played across the season and put in consistently high performances. There is no way you can argue Gibbs deserves to be in there ahead of them… Read more »
There defence cost them the title.
So many players from that midtable team, w0w.
At least that defence was always in the title race Deano. He’s played every game and played well, you cannot begrudge him that place on standby over gibbs.
c’mon man…
Does one think that the proposed introduction of B teams in the lower leagues will present solution to the shite and utter bollocks we have in reserve?
A waste of time.
They should invest in coaches.
I disagree. I’m all for the creation of B teams that can get promoted up to the division below the A team. If we could do that we wouldn’t have a dozen players out on loan and another dozen on the first team squad but not getting any playing time.
Fuck England! It’s Arsenal and nothing else
Good to see Jack and Ox picked. They will add something different for England with their movement and close control.
Shame about Gibbs. If he carries slightly more attacking threat, I feel he’d edge it. As is, this season was interrupted by minor niggles when he threaten to kick off in form. Still you’d think he make the standby ahead of Flannagan who is mediocre. It’s the Liverpool Messianic cult at work again.
I’m not English so I don’t really care. As long as the Arsenal players come back okay I’ll be happy.
It’s a good chance for Chambo and Wilshere to get some practice. (England will do well to get out of the group, quarter finals should be regarded as a big success)
On a positive note, Gibbs not making the team will probably keep him healthy for next year and really piss him off. He will come back raring to go and prove he can be England number 1. This is probably a good thing for us.
99% of the time – fantastic image choice.
This time – offensive photoshopping skills.
Keep up the blog.
“Ashley Cole retires from international duty”. Err no, they just don’t want you anymore. Petulent twat.
Italy and Uruguay in the same group eh? Good luck with that.
Here’s hoping Wilshere and Ox have a few good games and come back in one piece.
I’ve wondered why the World Cup just doesn’t have that vibe anymore. It used to be fuckin’ epic. If you’re old enough to remember the 82 or 86 tournaments you’ll know what I mean. Here’s my theory (which I’m making up as I go along) 1) The commentators don’t commentate down the phone anymore. Now it’s all flashy ‘hi-tec’ stuff with microphones and statellites. Hearing Barry Davies going ‘Oh, I say” down the blower just made it feel so far away and exotic. 2) Too many teams. 78 WC had 16 teams. It was good. 82 WC had 24. It… Read more »
couldn’t agree more, though for me international football died after ’98
@Neil:
Brilliant post. I agree with every word of it.
The last word cup was horrible: it bored the pants off me. That’s why I’m not too excited right now.
Club football is much better.
Am I the only one who is most outraged by Chris Smalling making the cut?!
@Neil, you forgot:
9) the older you get, the more events like this lose their mythic qualities.
Otherwise, spot on.
@neil nice nostalgic piece of the days of racism sexism and arrogant individuals that would make michael owen sound intelligent. Agree completely about the way our beautiful game is infested by corporations and greed. Sad that passionate fans will miss out like this saturday