How Arsenal’s tournament blueprint could be England’s secret weapon this summer

Fresh from celebrating a domestic double that May, Arsenal fanatic Morgan couldn’t resist putting a uniquely Arsenal spin on world news, after his heroes Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira trebled their winnings on the world stage that summer. It was symbolic of the en vogue French footballing flair of the time, and for some it went even deeper. There was an almost obsession with how the World Cup win had been perfected at the trailblazing Clairefontaine, France’s national football centre.

Now, 28 years later, could it be old-fashioned English steel, forged in a North London gunnery, that helps deliver an England win this summer?

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are as close to certainties for Thomas Tuchel when it comes to selecting his final squad for the US this summer. Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke need a strong finish to the season to cement their place, but Tuchel’s Arsenal cohort might well be his secret weapon this summer at the World Cup. Not for what they will bring on the pitch, but for the insight they can provide on the tactics which have underpinned Arsenal's Premier League challenge this season.