There are 89 minutes on the clock at Molineux later this evening and with the scores locked at 0-0 a ball breaks in the home side's box with Wolves centre-half Nathan Collins the only thing standing between Bukayo Saka and a clear shot at goal.Win that 50-50 ball and the in-form Arsenal attacker has a nailed-on chance to win the game and ensure the Gunners retain their unlikely status as Premier League leaders until St Stephen's Day at the earliest.Are there any external factors that might influence the respective commitment of these two top-level professional footballers to throw their body on the line to make sure they win this collision?Both sides desperately need a win for different reasons, both players have proved their bravery and commitment to the cause time and time again.
But only one of them is competing in a World Cup that kicks off in eight days' time.Next Sunday while Saka is enjoying a pre-match session ahead of England's World Cup opener at the Khalifa Stadium against Iran, Collins will be lining out for the Republic of Ireland against Malta in Ta' Qali ahead of a prolonged Christmas break.For the World Cup-bound professionals lining out for their clubs across Europe this weekend there is an awful lot at stake beyond three points.
That is not to question anyone's professionalism; the diminishing of club competitions is just another unfortunate byproduct of awarding the World Cup to Qatar.Saka was named in the England squad on Thursday, alongside captain and talisman Harry Kane, who has been included despite being absolutely exhausted, in the words of his Tottenham manager Antonio Conte."It was a problem of tiredness.