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Thomas Tuchel has Mikel Arteta's Arsenal masterstroke to thank as England beat Andorra
Thomas Tuchel picked four Arsenal players for England against Andorra as the Gunners quartet helped the Three Lions win their World Cup qualifier against the side ranked 174th in the world
England beat Andorra 2-0 at Villa Park with Thomas Tuchel naming four Arsenal players in his starting line-up.
And the Gunners quartet more than rewarded his selection with Mikel Arteta's dazzling new winger Noni Madueke tormenting the players of the microstate nestled between France and Spain, who are ranked 174th in the world by FIFA and slumped at the bottom of World Cup European qualifying Group K.
The German manager decided to give the impressive Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson his England debut at the base of the Three Lions' midfield, with Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze ahead of him. Madueke was named on the right side of attack, alongside Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane and former Manchester United hero Marcus Rashford, now of Barcelona, on the left.
And it was Madueke whose inspiration broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. He'd already given Andorra problems, with midfielder Pau Babot booked early on for bringing down the fleet-footed winger.
The former Chelsea man then crossed from the right flank, with Andorra's central defender Christian Garcia doing his best to prevent the ball reaching Kane, but inadvertently sending a looping header into his own net.
England's back five of Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn and yet another Arsenal man, Myles Lewis-Skelly, weren't troubled at all by a stubborn Andorra, who predictably proved difficult to break down but offered very little in terms of attacking play of their own - meaning Anderson had the licence to go forwards and almost got on the end of a ball from Kane to add a second goal.
But in the 67th minute the important second goal did come, when another man freed from defensive responsibility, Declan Rice - just as he has been for Arsenal this season - pulled away from his marker in the Andorra box and headed an excellent cross from James down and into the net.
Arteta's signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad is a move that has allowed Rice to play a more advanced, box-to-box role while the Spaniard anchors the midfield for the Premier League title hopefuls. Him being able to do the same for England could be crucial to the Three Lions' hopes at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Rice's goal sparked changes for England, as James, Rice and Rashford were replaced by home hero Morgan Rogers, along with Newcastle duo Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento.
Completing the Arsenal love-in, Gunners legend Lee Dixon commentating on ITV's coverage of the clash, noted: "It's been better and it's always difficult with Andorra getting everybody behind the ball but there's been signs.
"We've seen things tonight, it's not been great but it's been better. There's been some plusses and Anderson has been a big one. Madueke's had a good game and Eze's shown parts here and there. A win's a win."
Daily Star Sunday
Thomas Tuchel picked four Arsenal players for England against Andorra as the Gunners quartet helped the Three Lions win their World Cup qualifier against the side ranked 174th in the world
England beat Andorra 2-0 at Villa Park with Thomas Tuchel naming four Arsenal players in his starting line-up.
And the Gunners quartet more than rewarded his selection with Mikel Arteta's dazzling new winger Noni Madueke tormenting the players of the microstate nestled between France and Spain, who are ranked 174th in the world by FIFA and slumped at the bottom of World Cup European qualifying Group K.
The German manager decided to give the impressive Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson his England debut at the base of the Three Lions' midfield, with Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze ahead of him. Madueke was named on the right side of attack, alongside Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane and former Manchester United hero Marcus Rashford, now of Barcelona, on the left.
And it was Madueke whose inspiration broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. He'd already given Andorra problems, with midfielder Pau Babot booked early on for bringing down the fleet-footed winger.
The former Chelsea man then crossed from the right flank, with Andorra's central defender Christian Garcia doing his best to prevent the ball reaching Kane, but inadvertently sending a looping header into his own net.
England's back five of Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn and yet another Arsenal man, Myles Lewis-Skelly, weren't troubled at all by a stubborn Andorra, who predictably proved difficult to break down but offered very little in terms of attacking play of their own - meaning Anderson had the licence to go forwards and almost got on the end of a ball from Kane to add a second goal.
But in the 67th minute the important second goal did come, when another man freed from defensive responsibility, Declan Rice - just as he has been for Arsenal this season - pulled away from his marker in the Andorra box and headed an excellent cross from James down and into the net.
Arteta's signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad is a move that has allowed Rice to play a more advanced, box-to-box role while the Spaniard anchors the midfield for the Premier League title hopefuls. Him being able to do the same for England could be crucial to the Three Lions' hopes at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Rice's goal sparked changes for England, as James, Rice and Rashford were replaced by home hero Morgan Rogers, along with Newcastle duo Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento.
Completing the Arsenal love-in, Gunners legend Lee Dixon commentating on ITV's coverage of the clash, noted: "It's been better and it's always difficult with Andorra getting everybody behind the ball but there's been signs.
"We've seen things tonight, it's not been great but it's been better. There's been some plusses and Anderson has been a big one. Madueke's had a good game and Eze's shown parts here and there. A win's a win."
Daily Star Sunday