England stoked by Gunners

UEFA Women's Cup holders Arsenal LFC dominate the England squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup after manager Hope Powell named her 21 for the finals in China next month.

White leads squad
Among the nine Arsenal players selected is club and national-team captain Faye White, who has overcome the knee ligament injury that ruled her out of the decisive qualifier in France last September as well as much of the Gunners' perfect season. Also involved are defender Mary Phillip, the only survivor of the previous England World Cup campaign in 1995, and playmaker Kelly Smith, who believes the team have come a long way since exiting UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ on home soil in the group stage. "The team is now much stronger emotionally," Smith said. "Hopefully that means we can take the next step, which we weren't able to do in 2005." England start their campaign against Japan on 11 September and also play holders Germany and Argentina in the group stage.

England squad
Goalkeepers: Rachel Brown (Everton LFC), Siobhan Chamberlain (Chelsea LFC), Carly Telford (Leeds United LFC).

Defenders: Alex Scott (Arsenal LFC), Casey Stoney (Chelsea LFC), Faye White (Arsenal LFC), Mary Phillip (Arsenal LFC), Anita Asante (Arsenal LFC), Rachel Unitt (Everton LFC), Stephanie Houghton (Leeds United LFC).

Midfielders: Katie Chapman (Arsenal LFC), Fara Williams (Everton LFC), Jill Scott (Everton LFC), Vicky Exley (Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC), Karen Carney (Arsenal LFC), Kelly Smith (Arsenal LFC), Rachel Yankey (Arsenal LFC), Sue Smith (Leeds United LFC).

Forwards: Eniola Aluko (Chelsea LFC), Jody Handley (Everton LFC), Lianne Sanderson (Arsenal LFC).