There were mixed fortunes for Arsenal’s international stars this week in the latest FIFA International Break. Croatia striker Eduardo was the only Arsenal player to find the back of the net for his country, while Theo Walcott did not take the field for England. Luckily no players were injured on the international break, apart from Johan Djourou who returned to Arsenal prior to playing.
England 2 – Holland 2 – Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott.
Robin van Persie enjoyed a solid showing against Fabio Capello’s England as his side went 2-0 up inside the opening half. Van Persie had a shot fly wide and tested Robert Green with a dipping free kick before making way for Ryan Babel at the break. England winger Theo Walcott was an unused substitute.
Belarus 1 – Croatia 3 – Eduardo.
Brazilian-born Croatia hitman Eduardo netted his side’s second goal in their confident 3-1 victory away to Belarus. Ivica Olic headed home a corner to put the visitors ahead, before Eduardo swept home Darijo Srna’s cross to make it 2-0 with twenty minutes left (video here). Eduardo was replaced in the 89th minute to a chorus of cheers from the travelling fans.
Faroe Islands 0 – France 1 – William Gallas, Bacary Sagna.
Defenders Sagna and Gallas played the entire ninety minutes of France’s underwhelming victory over minnows the Faroe Islands. Neither defender was troubled throughout the match and a clean sheet was kept with minimal fuss. Despite 76% posession and 21 shots, Les Bleus’ only goal came from Andre-Pierre Gignac in the 42nd minute.
Mexico 2 – United States 1 – Carlos Vela.
Carlos Vela was substituted on for Cuauhtemoc Blanco with fifty-five minutes gone in Mexico’s comeback win over the USA. It was a quiet cameo for the young striker, who never got the chance to impose himself on the game. Mexico went on to win 2-1 in front of over 100,000 home fans.
Tunisia 0 – Ivory Coast 0 – Emmanuel Eboue.
Emmanuel Eboue played the whole game at right back for the Ivory Coast as they clinged on to a 0-0 draw in Tunisia. The hosts had several opportunities to win the game, but the two sides ended up sharing the spoils.
Russia 2 – Argentina 3 - Andrey Arshavin.
Arsenal talisman Andrey Arshavin had a second half penalty shout turned down as he captained his side to a 3-2 loss in Luzhniki Stadium. It was a quiet showing from Arshavin who played off Aleksanr Kerzhakov and then Roman Pavlyuchenko up front.
Austria 0 – Cameroon 2 – Alex Song.
A double from Mallorca forward Pierre Webo gave Alex Song’s Cameroon a fantastic away victory at the Ernst-Happel Stadion. It was Cameroon’s first match under new coach Paul le Guen, and Song played the entire in the somewhat unfamiliar position of match at right back.
Czech Republic 3 – Belgium 1 – Thomas Vemaelen.
Arsenal’s newest signing Thomas Vermaelen was unable to prevent his country from succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Czech Republic. Jan Vertonghen gave the visitors the lead before goals from Milan Baros and Roman Hubnik handed the hosts the advantage. Vermaelen made way for Timmy Simons at the interval.
Montenegro 2 – Wales 1 – Aaron Ramsey.
Arsenal starlet Aaron Ramsey played almost seventy-five minutes in Wales 2-1 loss to Montenegro. The youngster nearly got himself an assist when Simon Church was unable to convert Ramsey’s cheeky chip. Ramsey combined well with former Cardiff teammate Joe Ledley on the right flank, but made way at half time for David Cotterill.
Switzerland 0 – Italy 0 – Philippe Senderos.
He may not be an Arsenal player much longer with a move to Everton hanging in the balance, but Philippe Senderos and the Swiss defence managed to keep an impressive clean sheet against World Champions Italy. Senderos played the entire 90 minutes in the heart of the defence, partnered by Stephane Grichting instead of Johan Djourou, with the Arsenal man forced to withdraw due to injury.
Macedonia 2 – Spain 3 – Francesc Fabregas.
Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas played in the second half of Spain’s comeback win over Macedonia. Spain overturned a 2-0 half-time defecit to claim a fantastic victory, with a Cesc Fabregas shot firing back off the woodwork to allow Gerard Pique to tap in for Spain’s second.
Denmark 2 – Chile 1 – Nicklas Bendter.
Bendtner started up top for the Danes as they were beaten 2-1 by Chile thanks to a fine strike from Alexis Sanchez. Bendtner made way on the hour mark for Lasse Schone, but did look threatening in his time on the pitch. Mostly though, the Dane was isolated up front and did not manage to get himself on the scoresheet.
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A few mistakes in there. Ramsey actually played about 70 minutes and Cesc came on in the 2nd half, and he was the outstanding player on the pitch in Spains comeback. Apparently Ramsey impressed too.
Ermmm Cesc played the second 45 minutes and his shot rebounded off the post and was converted for Spain’s second.
Only mistake there is Cesc playing the second half. For some reason I thought he didn’t get on the pitch.
THanks!