Arsenal strikers Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck have been left out of Gareth Southgate’s initial England squad for the upcoming matches against Germany and Lithuania. The squad may yet be depleted over the coming weekend and either could yet appear in one or other of the matches. However, it will still be a hammer blow to the confidence of the famously mercurial Walcott and whilst Welbeck has only just got over a bout of post-injury sickness and both players suffering under Arsenal’s poor run of form, the injury induced absence of Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Harry Kane would have given hope of selection to both.
Whilst, the absence of Welbeck will not raise too many eyebrows, plumping for Marcus Rashford, whose last Premier League goal was way back in September 2016, ahead of 17 goal Walcott has many inside and outside the Emirates struggling with the England Manager’s logic. Southgate however tried explain himself in the press conference.
"I didn't see him (Walcott) playing in the Germany match. That's a really tough call on him, one I don't expect him to be chuffed to bits about, but I wanted to look at a couple of others. He's still very much in our plans, and can force his way back.
Considering that three of the four strikers picked (Jamie Vardy, Nathan Redmond and Marcus Rashford) have a combined season’s goal tally of only 22 between them, it is pretty likely that Walcott’s feelings may extend a bit further than not “chuffed to bits”.
Source: DSG
