The World Cup is underway, and England already has three points on the board, spearheaded by a man-of-the-match performance from Arsenal's Bukayo Saka in a 6-2 win against Iran.

Saka netted a brace, which included a stunning volley from 15 yards out, to help a buoyant England side to a straightforward opening victory in Qatar, before group rivals Wales and Matt Turner's USA drew 1-1.

Saka is one of 10 Arsenal players at the World Cup alongside England teammates Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale, as well as Brazil's Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba (France), Granit Xhaka (Switzerland), Thomas Partey (Ghana) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan).

Of Arsenal’s most-used starting 11 in the Premier League, only Saka, Saliba, Xhaka and Partey will be regular starters for their nations, with the latter two expected to bow out of the tournament before the quarter-final stage.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will be leading warm-weather training during the World Cup, giving him additional time with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel, and Kieran Tierney.

And given the complexity of Arteta’s system, the extra time to coach a player like Fabio Vieira, who missed pre-season with an injury, will be invaluable.

The players dropping out in the group stage will then join up with the squad, giving Arteta a few weeks with the majority of his team ahead of the Premier League's season restart after Christmas.

Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe has targeted a Boxing Day return in an interview over the weekend, with Arsenal’s number 10 still recovering from a groin injury which has kept him to just 51 minutes of league football so far this season. 

Whilst it may take him a few weeks to get up to speed, the return of Smith Rowe will be a huge boost for the Gunners during the second half of the season, adding quality depth in midfield and on the wings, giving Arsenal a threat off the bench as well as helping to afford the likes of Saka and Martinelli more rest during the run-in.

England’s remaining group stage games are against USA on Friday night and Wales on Tuesday - both kicking-off at 7pm UK time - and all eyes will again be on Saka to help Gareth Southgate's side to the top of the group.