England kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia tonight at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
In the lead-up to the game, Arsenal winger Noni Madueke has been handed a golden opportunity.
With Bukayo Saka’s fitness still in question after playing through an Achilles injury during Arsenal’s run-in, Madueke looks set to start in his place.
Should he impress, he could end up being the surprise star of the tournament.
🏆 Which Arsenal star will go the furthest at this summer’s World Cup?
Zubimendi and Spain? Saka and England? Saliba and France?
His selection in Thomas Tuchel’s squad has not been without scrutiny, with many questioning why the Premier League winner was picked ahead of the likes of Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Jarrod Bowen.
Ahead of the Croatia clash, Madueke addressed one persistent narrative that has followed him throughout the season.
Noni Madueke addresses rivalry with Bukayo Saka before World Cup opener
Speaking to talkSPORT, he addressed talk of a rivalry with his Arsenal and England teammate. “No, [Saka] knows. Everyone talks about rivalry and stuff, but if you see us, you wouldn’t think that,” Madueke said.
“Of course, we’re competitors at heart for sure. And we play in the same position for club and country, so there’s that natural competition, but it’s not rivalry for sure.”
Madueke has spent the season as Saka’s understudy at Arsenal, a role he has performed fairly effectively, coming off the bench to make an impact late in games when Saka tires.
He made more of an impact than Saka during the Champions League final against PSG, where he caused Nuno Mendes problems and almost won a penalty.
In the World Cup, he may well get the chance to do the job from the start.
More Arsenal involvement expected as Thomas Tuchel faces tricky calls against Croatia
Picking between Madueke and Saka is not the only intriguing call Tuchel has to make.
Declan Rice is a near-certainty to start alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield, where they will come up against the experienced Luka Modric.
Eberechi Eze, who impressed off the bench in the warm-up win over Costa Rica, will be looking to make a similar impact again if called upon.
Perhaps the most contentious decision concerns the number ten role behind Harry Kane — a battle between Jude Bellingham and Arsenal’s primary summer transfer target, Morgan Rogers.
Whichever way Tuchel goes, England’s opener should be fascinating viewing, with Arsenal’s fingerprints all over the team once again.
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