At a Glance:
- Owen Hargreaves reveals Thomas Tuchel may be inspired by Arsenal.
- Tuchel could be following in Mikel Arteta’s footsteps.
- England’s squad profile could have a huge advantage in the 2026 World Cup.
England manager Thomas Tuchel named four Arsenal players in his squad for the 2026 World Cup: Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.
Tuchel considering picking Max Dowman in his roster but ultimately, the 16-year-old did not play enough football to make the cut.
The German can rely on the Gunners quartet to perform come tournament time, considering all four players have fared well for the Three Lions in the past. Saka has been brilliant for England in particular and the same applies to Rice, who are arguably two of the most important players for their national side.
Madueke has impressed under Thomas Tuchel’s reign while Eze turned heads during Euro 2024.
Owen Hargreaves now has a theory about the Champions League winner potentially following in Mikel Arteta’s footsteps.
- READ MORE: ‘One-man club revival’ – Arsenal fans think Premier League change says a lot about Mikel Arteta
Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad screams Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal
Hargreaves initially mentioned on TNT Sports that Thomas Tuchel’s England squad has prioritised physicality, which is often said about this Arsenal side.
“Thomas, in a way, I think he’s gone for size. We only probably have three players in there, probably under six foot. Kobbie [Mainoo], [Bukayo] Saka and Reece James. Everybody else, you think about [Anthony] Gordon, [Marcus] Rashford, Ivan Toney, Harry [Kane], Ollie Watkins, [Noni] Madueke, [Morgan] Rogers, [Jude] Bellingham, Declan [Rice], everybody’s above six foot.
Hargreaves added: “So, I think he’s gone for big, strong athletes. I think he knows we can’t out-football Spain and if we we win it, we’re going to win it on the counter and I think that’s kind of his blueprint.”
Owen Hargreaves explains why England's athletic profile sets them apart 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/svzoIBHsEg
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 4, 2026
With set-pieces being one of Arsenal’s superpowers, Owen Hargreaves also believes Thomas Tuchel is keen to use this ploy to cause opponents issues, with tall players in his squad to get on the end of Rice and Saka’s pinpoint deliveries.
“That’s why Toney isn’t there, isn’t he? Set-pieces, pens.
“I think Thomas has looked at what Arsenal have done and thought, ‘Okay, we can take a bit of that.’
Thomas Tuchel could win the World Cup by following Mikel Arteta’s blueprint
Owen Hargreaves has a point as Thomas Tuchel has left out of top players like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer out of his England squad, with their lack of elite physicality being a potential reason.
Ultimately, the former Chelsea boss has every reason to be inspired by Mikel Arteta’s ways, who won the Premier League and reached the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals last season.
England may not have the most talented squad at the tournament but they could dominate their opponents physically, considering the Premier League is as physical as it has ever been currently.
The likes of Saka, Rice, Eze and Madueke will be hoping to win the World Cup to cap off an outstanding year for them at club and international level.
