CHANGING TIMES: The number of England players in Arsene Wenger's side has increased substantially in recent years [GETTY]

Against San Marino nine days ago, the Gunners had five players - Jack Wilshere, Calum Chambers, Kieran Gibbs, Danny Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - on the Wembley pitch.

And with Theo Walcott returning from a knee injury, Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson could see that number topped.

It is a far cry from nine years ago when the north Londoners became the first Premier League side to field an all-foreign 16-man squad for the clash with Crystal Palace.

And it has left Frenchman Wenger thrilled to see his team provide the lion’s share for the Three Lions.

“For England it’s important,” said Wenger. “If they can do well at Arsenal and play for England, England will be strong.

“That is for sure, because they will play against anybody in the world and to have five or six players in the team, they know how to play. The confidence grows.

“I am very proud because for long years I have been accused of not developing English players.

“I am used to a good level of criticism. I support France and England. It is simple. When they play on two different nights it is even better.”

Asked whether the Anglo look to his squad was due to a change of policy or had evolved naturally, Wenger said: “It is a bit of both. First of all, we gave chances to players from our academy.

“But I cannot say Welbeck situation was planned for five years. It’s a coincidence.

"Although, I try to buy the best English players and Walcott and Chambers are a consequence of that.

“Why do they come here? They know if they are good they get a chance. It shows you, when they are good, they play.”

But Wenger admits he does not think Hodgson iss getting the best out of Wilshere by playing him in a deep midfield role.

“He is not a ball winner,” said Wenger, whose men face Hull at home today.

“I believe he is more a guy who you want to get close to the final third, to keep him deep you take a big part of his efficiency away.

“He likes to penetrate where there are many people. He can provoke free-kicks, he can create openings. That (deep) position is detrimental to his strengths.”

Out of position or not, Wenger still agrees Wilshere’s performance in Sunday’s 1-0 win in Estonia was his best for his country for a while.

“Jack is back, physically, to where he was before,” said Wenger.

“He has more experience and I think he mixed well his long balls and kept his individual capacity to make a difference.

"That is what being a midfielder is about.

“What is surprising to me is how quickly it went with Chambers.

"I bought him because when he played against us for Southampton in January I liked what he did.

“I could not imagine that he would play for England in September or October.”