What Gunners Should Get A Starting Berth For England At Euro 2016?

I saw an interesting blog recently, I forget the author, but their thoughts were much aligned with my own in terms of our international side and set-up.

Now I am no great fan of Roy Hodgson but he has done well, qualifying for the Euros next year and doing it before everybody else. Not only that but winning 8 from 8 and scoring 26 goals along the way and conceding just 3. Pretty good right? Well, yeah but when you look at the group we were in anything else would've been a horrendous failure, so let's not get too excited.

In England's recent game against Switzerland I was not enthralled by the performance, particularly in the first half. The second half was much better but there was definitely something not quite fitting, be it the formation or line-up, I'm not sure. Wayne Rooney is the captain and having scored his fiftieth goal for England is unlikely to lose his place, so discussing it is fairly irrelevant. He will play every game if he is fit, that much is clear. But what of the rest of the team...

With less than a year until the Euros the race is on for those players to cement their place in the squad, if not the first eleven. With an array of attacking options I am actually quite optimistic. If we assume Rooney will spearhead the attack, who do we have supporting him? Stirling frustrated in attack last night but did his defensive duties well. The Ox seemed largely isolated and ineffective, this can only be due to the way Roy set the team up. Personally I would have the team set up differently; here's how.

Joe Hart is our best GK and will start, that is a given, although Jack Butland is a good understudy.

Nathaniel Clyne is our right back it would seem. I am happy with this, although would prefer better cover than Phil Jones. John Stones is no full back, that much is clear from his bit-part role last night. Chris Smalling can also provide cover though, so no need to panic and select Kyle Walker.

Luke Shaw is solid at left back. Gibbs is probably better defensively and should probably go but what if Leighton Baines recovers his fitness and form? Time will tell.

At CB I think Chris Smalling has come of age. He was excellent last night. Gary Cahill's spot is seriously under threat from Stones and I think he will be on the bench by the time the Euros come round. I like Phil Jones; I can't help it. His comedic value and willingness to play anywhere and do anything gets him in but Smalling is better at CB and RB in my opinion. Of course Jones can operate as an anchor in midfield too. Jagielka will goand that about does it although I think Micah Richard should be considered. Equally adept at full back or centre half he would be useful to have along.

If everyone is fit I think our midfield should be Henderson, Wilshere and Ox. I'd play Ox in the middle rather than on the wing. He's a tough lad and those physical attributes would be better utilised in the centre of the park. I don't think Carrick can be seriously considered for selection; his time, unfortunately has been and gone. So who for cover?

Jonjo Shelvey would not start for me; I consider him a poor man's Gerrard, which is not really a slur. He is a good, solid player with good distribution and a good engine but it's all just good. At international level a player must excel at something. I think James Milner showed enough last night to prove he is a valuable player to the team wherever you choose to play him. Central certainly seems to be his most effective position though. Fabien Delph should've stayed at Villa where he was captain and the main man. He may find his place in the squad in jeopardy, let alone the team. And as for Ross Barkley, he still has so much to prove.

Up front and on the wings is where England has talent in abundance these days, with Rooney, Sturridge, Kane all vying for the lone striker's spot, with Welbeck, Walcott and Stirling offering choices on either wing or through the middle. We also have alternatives in Andros Townsend and a rejuvenated Scott Sinclair. It will be interesting to see if Jay Rodriguez can find the form he had before getting injured. He is an excellent player and similar to Welbeck where he is big and fast and can play on the wing or up front.

So I think we good have good times ahead but still think we are just short of being able to win the Euros. Spain and Germany still have more influential players than us, but at least we are in a position to compete if Roy gets his tactics right and doesn't pick players based on them being "reliable". Go out there and try to win it, Roy!

by Benjamin Dungate

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