Former England international Ian Wright has questioned Gareth Southgate’s decision to drop Trent Alexander-Arnold from the Three Lions fold for the ongoing FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
The Liverpool FC full-back was not included in the 23-man squad chosen by Southgate to represent England in the international break as the boss admitted that Arnold’s recent displays at the club level did not warrant his involvement besides other options at Southgate’s disposal.
Wright, however, has voiced concerns over the selection policy adopted by the England gaffer with the Arsenal hero claiming that the reasons for Arnold’s exclusion were rather timid taking into account the host of problems faced by Arnold at Anfield this season.
“The level of competition, you can’t argue with Reece James and his emergence,” Wright said as reported by the Echo.
“I think James Justin before he got his injury, he’d have got into this squad for these three games. I’m a bit confused by Gareth and the harshness of this.
“He said it’s ‘because of form’ but we’ve seen players in England squads who haven’t been picked on form. With what Trent has gone through, the meteoric rise he went on, now injuries have started to come, players not playing with him, midfielders not playing with him, it’s affected his game.
“Yes, there’s a dip in form but for him to be left out on form when I’ve seen players picked for England who have been on bad form, it seems a little harsh.
“Just say to him, ‘you’re not in my plans because I have him, him and him’, rather than say ‘form’. I found that a bit harsh.”
Arnold’s showings in the Liverpool FC colours have been a mere shadow of the defender’s former self with the full-back having had to bear the brunt of an injury-ravaged backline.
