England player ratings: Noni Madueke's new World Cup squad 'opportunity' amid Eberechi Eze worry

The Mirror's chief football writer John Cross discusses Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and more as he rates England's World Cup 2026 squad hopefuls

Bukayo Saka's latest Arsenal injury may have opened the door for Noni Madueke to stake a claim for this summer's England World Cup squad, meanwhile Eberechi Eze is in "serious danger" of missing out.

At present, the Gunners' English contingent will be fully focused on the task at hand - winning this season's Premier League title. Holding a six-point advantage, they are in prime position to do so, and now a Carabao Cup final appearance will offer Mikel Arteta's side a new chance for their first silverware in six years.

However, the likes of Madueke and Eze are not only playing for major honours. They will be hoping at the end of it all, Thomas Tuchel hands them a place in the England squad for the increased 48-nation World Cup in North America.

As part of a new weekly series of 'England Player Ratings' counting down to this summer's World Cup, The Mirror's chief football writer John Cross has given his verdict of Arsenal's England hopefuls.

Things are looking up for Madueke, who Cross gave a 7/10 England squad rating. It is his belief that Saka's new injury, which will sideline the Three Lions star for the majority of February, creates an opening for the former Chelsea man to showcase his talents.

"I think Madueke has got so much potential. In the next few weeks there's an opportunity to play a bit more, to get more game time, to show what he can do," Cross explained.

"I think sometimes with Madueke, do I think there's a bit where he thinks 'maybe I should be starting a bit more? Is it right that I'm with the B team for the sort of secondary games?'

"Maybe there's a hint about that in his some of his performances. Maybe I'm being a bit unkind, a bit harsh on the player.

"He's behind Saka in the pecking order. Arsenal have got so many games coming up and so much to tackle in the next few months that I think he is going to get opportunities and I think he has to do that on a more consistent basis."

Eze 'should be worrying' about World Cup place

Eze has also struggled for game time more recently after returning to north London from Crystal Palace last summer.

Cross gives the 27-year-old a lesser 6/10 England squad rating, stating: "He was paraded in front of the home fans at the Emirates. The number 10 shirt, huge, released as a kid and basically, a brilliant story. But then, has it completely worked for him?

"I bet that he went in the summer thinking if I go to Arsenal, this is going to give me the platform to improve, maybe win major things with Arsenal, but also get into the World Cup squad as an England regular.

"His hope was that he would go to the next level, we've seen flashes of that - I think he was brilliant against Tottenham - and there was that purple patch of games where he started and played so well, Bayern Munich included.

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"Then he plays, albeit shunted to the left more, at Aston Villa. Doesn't track Matty Cash, basically let's the Villa full-back get behind him and score, and since then it feels like he's been on the Arteta naughty step.

"I feel sorry for him because I think he's a joy to watch. But, England have got a lot of 10s and a lot of left-sided players.

"Unless he gets minutes I can't see him making the cut, which would be such a shame. He's got a lot of work to do. Eze should be worrying a little bit about his World Cup place."

White and Lewis-Skelly 'left at home'

Whilst Madueke and Eze still fight for their place with England at the World Cup, Cross believes the dream is all-but over for Gunners teammates Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

He finds it "hard to see" either forcing their way into Tuchel's thinking as both players have been forced to compete for their place in Arteta's starting XI this campaign.

White was given a 3/10 England squad rating and Lewis-Skelly a 5/10, as Cross discussed how different things might have been for the 19-year-old had this decision been made one year ago.

"I don't think if you're Thomas Tuchel, you could remotely justify picking him at the moment," he said. "He's a brilliant, brilliant player and last season was all about injuries for him.

"Unfortunately, they've signed Piero Hincapie, who's a bit more orthodox as a left back. I think he's a much better left back than left-sided centre-half, which also means then that Lewis-Skelly suddenly finds himself a third choice left-back at Arsenal, which is just unthinkable.

"Last season was a great fairy tale because basically, this is a midfielder - who did a job and filled in - suddenly found himself in the first team, new contract, suddenly an England debut - amazing story, an amazing rise.

"I personally don't think Lewis-Skelly makes the squad as we stand. I think you probably have to have a repeat of last season - gets a lot more minutes, a lot of opportunities.

"He's got two players in front of him at Arsenal. I think the time will come again, but I think he's going to be left at home."