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World Cup rejection XI: 11 players axed from their national teams

By Daniel Mercieca

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal reacts following a missed chance during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal reacts following a missed chance during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
(Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images) /

Striker – Mauro Icardi

Going by domestic form this season, Mauro Icardi is the most conspicuous absentee from any squad in the World Cup.

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Argentina are renowned to have attacking options to spare, and leaving out a man who has worked wonders in Serie A, helping Inter Milan back to where they belong in the Champions League, underlines that.

He would have taken Gonzalo Higuain’s place, and the risk of a World Cup newcomer over the astuteness of the Juventus striker was one Jorge Sampaoli was unwilling to take.

Striker – Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal forward Lacazette had to compete with Antoine Griezmann (never a doubt) and Olivier Giroud.

The former Lyon man was left on the reserves this time, and it is a sour end to a season that has shown flashes of his best.

Lacazette is still settling into the Arsenal dynamic, and under Unai Emery we could see more of the Frenchman.

Next: Twitter reacts to unfair treatment of Raheem Sterling

We won’t be watching him in Russia, and whether he will make the next major tournament squad is up for debate.

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