Is Arsenal's title push key to an England World Cup triumph?

England continued their record-breaking run in their World Cup qualifying group on Thursday with another win and another clean sheet in the victory over Serbia. 

The game looked and felt like another routine triumph for the Three Lions as they made it seven out of seven, but within the 2-0 scoreline, a theme emerged that could end up being the fuel in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup bid. 

Both goalscorers at Wembley came from the boots of current Arsenal players, and while that could be completely coincidental, the Gunners and their possible success in 2025-26 could play a massive part in what happens in North America next summer. 

It was Bukayo Saka who opened the scoring amongst the pouring rain against the Serbians, expertly reacting to a parried shot with a deft volley into the net. 

The game was then sewn up in the final minutes by Ebere Eze, who calmly curled the ball into the corner from the edge of the box from a Phil Foden ball. 

The performance of Saka underlined his status as first choice on the right of England's attack, while Eze continues to prove what a valuable asset he is coming off the bench - but they aren't the only Arsenal names who are pivotal to this squad. 

In the centre of the midfield, Declan Rice continues to be one of the first names on the teamsheet and finally looks to have found the partner he's been looking for in an England shirt in Elliot Anderson. 

Both the two goal scorers and Rice will be shoo-ins for Tuchel's World Cup squad and will go into it off the back of a season where all three will be pivotal members of the Arsenal team looking to land their first title in over twenty years. 
 

A winning formula 

Why does that matter? The easy answer is winning breads winning. The one thing that's held back the Gunners in recent seasons is the lack of experience of their squad in title races and winning titles.

However, having now been part of the title mix-up for the past three campaigns, Mikel Arteta's men finally look to have that mentality in the squad and could see Saka, Eze and Rice head into next summer already having a medal round their neck. 

What that will do in terms, is breed confidence in those players. Not just the three previously mentioned, but also Myles Lewis-Skelly and Noni Madueke, who could also very well be part of a final 23 at the finals. 

Confidence isn't always a word England players have had going into major tournaments, even when it boasted the likes of title-winners of previous eras, with too much emphasis on a 'golden generation' and pressure to win overtaking the feeling gathered at club level. 

However, this is a different time. Gareth Southgate did wonders in eradicating those negative vibes from the past in England camps, and after a rocky start, Tuchel seems to be harnessing the same kind of feeling. 

Therefore, winners are congratulated, not envied and title-winning confidence should be enhanced and used to fuel a bid to win the Three Lions' first World Cup since...well, you all know when. 

Having a squad that could boast three key members who are arguably at the peak of their powers and go into a World Cup having propelled their club to a history-making league title can only mean good things for the national side. 

That's not to say that the same notion couldn't be applied to England's Manchester City stars if they were to win back the league, but no club feels like they have players in more nailed-on places in this England squad than Arsenal. 

Maybe not all would agree - certainly those on the other side of North London - but an Arsenal title victory could just be the appetiser England need to finally nail the biggest prize of them all. 

 

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