England: Thomas Tuchel reveals what Arsenal stars will add to World Cup camp after laboured friendly win | OneFootball

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka among Gunners unavailable for unconvincing defeat of New Zealand

Thomas Tuchel believes that the four Arsenal stars joining England’s camp will give the squad a lift as they prepare for the World Cup.

Tuchel has been unable to call upon Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze after the quartet were given additional rest following the Gunners’ Champions League final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain last month.

They touched down in Florida on Saturday but played no part against New Zealand.

The Three Lions lacked dynamism for large parts in the Tampa heat, but Tuchel thinks that his returning stars will be able to change that.

England were somewhat uninspired in their 1-0 defeat of New Zealand

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“The Arsenal players are in from today which is good because it gives us energy and quality,” he told ITV afterwards.

Tuchel also declared that he was happier with England’s second-half performance than he was the first.

The German insisted that he would approach the warm-up match, intending most of his available stars ample minutes as the Three Lions prepare to open their group stage against Croatia in a week and a half.

As such, the head coach named two different lineups in each half, with some surprise selections in certain positions, but ultimately, England got the job done.

“I was more happy with the second half,” Tuchel said.

“We had more hunger, more grit, more desire. We didn't score but the second half was better.

“We lacked discipline in the first half, came out of position and didn't stick to the plan.

“That slowed our game down. To put it into context the last time we were together was November. It's quite a long time, it's the first game after the season.”