---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't know how you get in the England…"
description: "\"I don't know how you get in the England squad without getting in the Arsenal team.\" — Gareth Southgate"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/798/gareth-southgate-6473_arsenal_i-don-t-know-how-you-get-in-the-england_1744763.jpg"
---

#  I don't know how you get in the England squad without…

![“I don't know how you get in the England squad without getting in the Arsenal team.” quote by Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/798/gareth-southgate-6473_arsenal_i-don-t-know-how-you-get-in-the-england_1744763.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/798/gareth-southgate-6473_arsenal_i-don-t-know-how-you-get-in-the-england_1744763.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/798/gareth-southgate-6473_arsenal_i-don-t-know-how-you-get-in-the-england_1744763.jpg)

> “I don't know how you get in the England squad without getting in the Arsenal team.”

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Criticizes selection policy, implying club performance should dictate national team inclusion.

**In simple terms:** Club form should affect national selection.

Key Takeaway

Consider merit based selection.

Themes

sports selection fairness

Mood

critical skeptical

Type

analytical opinion

When to use this quote

- national team selection
- club performance
- player evaluation

Key Concepts

team dynamics performance metrics

Questions to Reflect On

- How should national teams balance club success with potential?
- Is meritocracy realistic in sports?

A Different Perspective

May overlook talent from lower-profile clubs.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/england/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/)

## Related quotes

> [I've played against a lot of the guys who have got into the England squad - Scott Parker, Jimmy Bullard, people like that -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-cattermole/i-ve-played-against-a-lot-of-the-guys-who-have-got-into-the-england/)

[Lee Cattermole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-cattermole/)

> [ I am still young and being the \[England\] squad is really good for me although I've still got a lot to learn. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermain-defoe/i-am-still-young-and-being-the-england-squad-is-really-good-for-me/)

[Jermain Defoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermain-defoe/)

> [I hoped to be in the England squad one day but didn't think it would come so soon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ollie-watkins/i-hoped-to-be-in-the-england-squad-one-day-but-didn-t-think-it-would/)

[Ollie Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ollie-watkins/)

> [When you look at the caliber of players in the England squad and their ability, why should we go into the tournament fearing anyone?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lampard/when-you-look-at-the-caliber-of-players-in-the-england-squad-and/)

[Frank Lampard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lampard/)

> [The most important thing for me is being part of a successful England squad and being as big a part of it as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-butland/the-most-important-thing-for-me-is-being-part-of-a-successful-england/)

[Jack Butland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-butland/)

> [The feeling I had at 14, getting selected for Everton's Under-15 side - that excitement, pride, all the emotions - it never goes away.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-parris/the-feeling-i-had-at-14-getting-selected-for-everton-s-under-15-side/)

[Nikita Parris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-parris/)

> [To be in the England squad, you have got to be playing well and your standards have got to be up there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-butland/to-be-in-the-england-squad-you-have-got-to-be-playing-well-and-your/)

[Jack Butland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-butland/)

> [There are no guarantees getting into an England squad: there's so many unbelievable players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-rice/there-are-no-guarantees-getting-into-an-england-squad-there-s-so-many/)

[Declan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-rice/)

> [You can see it with Dele Alli, he's come from League One and he's already in the England squad. You see it with Vardy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michail-antonio/you-can-see-it-with-dele-alli-he-s-come-from-league-one-and-he-s/)

[Michail Antonio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michail-antonio/)

> [I would like to wish the England squad every success. I would also very much like to extend those wishes to Martin Johnson, Brian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/i-would-like-to-wish-the-england-squad-every-success-i-would-also/)

[Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/)

> [I am not taking for granted a call-up to the England squad or making any assumption about my future international career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-rice/i-am-not-taking-for-granted-a-call-up-to-the-england-squad-or-making/)

[Declan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-rice/)

> [If you have any setback in your life, like not being in the England squad was for me - any setback, like losing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-owen/if-you-have-any-setback-in-your-life-like-not-being-in-the-england/)

[Michael Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-owen/)

> [The full England squad is something I've wanted to try and get into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-ramsdale/the-full-england-squad-is-something-i-ve-wanted-to-try-and-get-into/)

[Aaron Ramsdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-ramsdale/)

> [International-wise I want to be heading for the full England squad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ward-prowse/international-wise-i-want-to-be-heading-for-the-full-england-squad/)

[James Ward-Prowse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ward-prowse/)

> [Arsenal have always been the team closest to my heart and a side I've wanted to join since I was a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matteo-guendouzi/arsenal-have-always-been-the-team-closest-to-my-heart-and-a-side-i-ve/)

[Matteo Guendouzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matteo-guendouzi/)

## More by Gareth Southgate

> [If we want to be a top team, we can't get to 3-0 and suddenly decide not to play without the ball. We have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/if-we-want-to-be-a-top-team-we-can-t-get-to-3-0-and-suddenly-decide/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [Ultimately, playing at international level, at all age groups, is good for a player's development, and that is good for clubs, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/ultimately-playing-at-international-level-at-all-age-groups-is-good/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [In the end, success in a shoot-out is being able to perform a particular skill under pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/in-the-end-success-in-a-shoot-out-is-being-able-to-perform-a/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [Good teams, whatever the circumstances or the atmosphere or the pitch, find a way of playing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/good-teams-whatever-the-circumstances-or-the-atmosphere-or-the-pitch/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [No England international is a practice match. Every time you wear this shirt, it is of importance for you, the country, and the supporters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/no-england-international-is-a-practice-match-every-time-you-wear-this/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [I'm committed to England, simple as that. I don't need to hedge my bets in keeping doors open or keeping things alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/i-m-committed-to-england-simple-as-that-i-don-t-need-to-hedge-my-bets/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [I guess, at a club, you feel supported. Sometimes, with the national team, it hasn't always felt that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/i-guess-at-a-club-you-feel-supported-sometimes-with-the-national-team/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [I am not sure I will ever wear a waistcoat again, frankly!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/i-am-not-sure-i-will-ever-wear-a-waistcoat-again-frankly/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [I've got to think through all of those things - competition for places, players who need match minutes, and keeping the unity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/i-ve-got-to-think-through-all-of-those-things-competition-for-places/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [In a team, you need players who are technically good and can perform under pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/in-a-team-you-need-players-who-are-technically-good-and-can-perform/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [You have to be savvy. You have to be tactically aware, because that's what makes the difference in the big matches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/you-have-to-be-savvy-you-have-to-be-tactically-aware-because-that-s/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [You give everything you have, build friendships within your team - in international football, you give everything for your country and play in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/you-give-everything-you-have-build-friendships-within-your-team-in/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [When something goes wrong in your life, it doesn't finish you, and you should become braver, knowing that you've got to go for things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/when-something-goes-wrong-in-your-life-it-doesn-t-finish-you-and-you/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [Harry Maguire's potential is huge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/harry-maguire-s-potential-is-huge/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

> [The world always changes, and teams go through evolutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/the-world-always-changes-and-teams-go-through-evolutions/)

[Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

[Explore all 99 Gareth Southgate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/)

## More Arsenal quotes

> [I have always followed Arsenal in the Premier League. At some points they were really good, but also had some difficulties like a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gervinho/i-have-always-followed-arsenal-in-the-premier-league-at-some-points/)

[Gervinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gervinho/)

> [What do folk always say about Arsenal? They can pass you to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-adam/what-do-folk-always-say-about-arsenal-they-can-pass-you-to-death/)

[Charlie Adam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-adam/)

> [Don't put too much pressure on Jack Wilshere... in years to come I think he will be an Arsenal great like Liam Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-merson/don-t-put-too-much-pressure-on-jack-wilshere-in-years-to-come-i-think/)

[Paul Merson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-merson/)

> [As a club, we have an educational purpose: to give back to those people who love Arsenal so that they learn moral values from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arsene-wenger/as-a-club-we-have-an-educational-purpose-to-give-back-to-those-people/)

[Arsene Wenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arsene-wenger/)

> [I want to stay at Arsenal for as long as I can, stay at the highest level and push this club back to where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-white/i-want-to-stay-at-arsenal-for-as-long-as-i-can-stay-at-the-highest/)

[Ben White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-white/)

> [My wish was to finish my career at Arsenal, but there are always banana skins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kolo-toure/my-wish-was-to-finish-my-career-at-arsenal-but-there-are-always/)

[Kolo Toure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kolo-toure/)

> [I was at Arsenal as an 11-year-old. I really enjoyed it but I was at school and my dad used to drive me there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-noble/i-was-at-arsenal-as-an-11-year-old-i-really-enjoyed-it-but-i-was-at/)

[Mark Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-noble/)

> [Captaining your country, going out at Wembley, captaining Arsenal to 10 trophies, playing your first game - they're all amazing things. But, phew, saving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-adams/captaining-your-country-going-out-at-wembley-captaining-arsenal-to-10/)

[Tony Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-adams/)

> [I was always respectful to Arsene and I think he respected me for that. We had a good relationship and understanding. We spoke a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukasz-fabianski/i-was-always-respectful-to-arsene-and-i-think-he-respected-me-for/)

[Lukasz Fabianski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukasz-fabianski/)

> [If you think about it, Washington's overwhelming power in the world is founded on death, the awesome arsenal for killing people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-greider/if-you-think-about-it-washington-s-overwhelming-power-in-the-world-is/)

[William Greider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-greider/)

> [A club like Arsenal is a fabulous club, it is a well-run club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-phelan/a-club-like-arsenal-is-a-fabulous-club-it-is-a-well-run-club/)

[Mike Phelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-phelan/)

> [I don't think there was a danger of chaos at Arsenal. We have a fantastic manager who knows how to run the club. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wojciech-szczesny/i-don-t-think-there-was-a-danger-of-chaos-at-arsenal-we-have-a/)

[Wojciech Szczesny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wojciech-szczesny/)

> [I was at Arsenal but I didn't like the manager of the under-10s at the time so I went to West Ham where my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonjo-shelvey/i-was-at-arsenal-but-i-didn-t-like-the-manager-of-the-under-10s-at/)

[Jonjo Shelvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonjo-shelvey/)

> [ The best player I ever played against was Paolo Maldini. We \[Arsenal\] played against Milan in the European Supercup \[in 1995\]. Maldini marked me… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-merson/the-best-player-i-ever-played-against-was-paolo-maldini-we-arsenal/)

[Paul Merson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-merson/)

> [The true beauty of nature is her amplitude; she exists neither for nor because of us, and possesses a staying power that all our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/the-true-beauty-of-nature-is-her-amplitude-she-exists-neither-for-nor/)

[Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/)

Browse all 705 Arsenal quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I don't know how you get in the England squad without getting in the Arsenal team.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Gareth Southgate"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/i-don-t-know-how-you-get-in-the-england-squad-without-getting-in-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Arsenal"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/i-don-t-know-how-you-get-in-the-england-squad-without-getting-in-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/798/gareth-southgate-6473_arsenal_i-don-t-know-how-you-get-in-the-england_1744763.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/798/gareth-southgate-6473_arsenal_i-don-t-know-how-you-get-in-the-england_1744763.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/798/gareth-southgate-6473_arsenal_i-don-t-know-how-you-get-in-the-england_1744763.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I don't know how you get in the England squad without getting in the Arsenal team.” — Gareth Southgate",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Gareth Southgate",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I don't know how you get...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/i-don-t-know-how-you-get-in-the-england-squad-without-getting-in-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/i-don-t-know-how-you-get-in-the-england-squad-without-getting-in-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
