The international break always seems to arrive at the wrong time. Just when Arsenal got some sort of momentum with 4-0 and 3-0 wins, the curtain comes down for an almost two week intermission. And when things will resume after the break, Arsenal face three tough road fixtures — friendly Blackburn (13th), Dynamo Kiev (17th, not quite brrrr yet, temp is currently in the 14-28 deg C range) and even more friendly Bolton (20th). Atleast Arsenal have gotten three league games in whereas, in Italy and Spain the break comes after just the opening rounds.
As per Arsenal.com, the following are away on international duty:
William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri, Bacary Sagna
Cesc Fabregas
Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue
Robin van Persie
Theo Walcott
Emmanuel Adebayor
Nicklas Bendtner
Aaron Ramsey
Alex Song
Johan Djourou
Lukasz Fabianski
Carlos Vela
A total of 16 players.
One can imagine if Silvestre, Diaby, Rosicky, Bischoff and Eduardo were not injured, they would have been involved. The only first team members not involved are Almunia, Mannone, Denilson and Wilshere.
So the best situation for Arsenal would be:
1) None of the 16 players gets a game in
2) The players play their part but manage to stay injury free. A bonus would be that the players return back sharper and fitter.
Unfortunately, scenario 1 is not likely. Hopefully option 2 does happen but past experiences indicate otherwise. Still, the relevance of some fixtures comes into focus. Does Van Persie need to play in the friendly against Australia? It was a friendly against Austria where he picked up an injury previously. But the different international managers would argue for the benefit of these games and indicate that they need these games to assess their squad. Previously, it was argued that playing for one’s country was a matter of pride. Does that argument still hold in this day and age of players wanting to move clubs because of higher wages?
If there are Arsenal players who would go out of their way to get themselves benched, that would be greatly appreciated. Maybe some of them could follow Ludovic Giuly’s example. One of the reasons cited for his exclusion from the French national team was the text message he sent to Raymond Domenech’s girlfriend. In Guily’s defense, he explained that he approached the coach and mentioned he was not aware that Domenech was dating the woman in question. Maybe it is just a coincidence but Guily has not been seen playing for France since then.
In the meantime, feel free to discuss the status of the Arsenal players and their quest to avoid injury while helping their nations towards qualification for the 2010 World Cup during this week of internationals.
34 Responses to “La International break discussion”
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September 5th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
We have two first team starters who don’t feature in their international week - GK and DM.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
It’s a bit odd to have starters on a top team who do not represent their country.
Wonder if they still train together with the reserves or do they do the party thing?
September 5th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Would be good for Clichy to get his first cap. Also for Walcott and Ramsey to play for their teams and Fabianski to become Poland’s first choice goalie. Apart from those, it would be best for the rest to rest!
Internationals leave me cold these days but I will be feeling a little more interested in how Trap does with the Irish team who have been down for the last few years.
Is Almunia English-qualified yet?
September 5th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
For the past 18 months, the media and fan criticism has centered on Arsenal’s youth ” great talent but lacking experience.
Making your countries National Team is a player’s dream; playing time at this level of competition is the fertilizer for experience at competing at any level.
This type of opportunity will build more for their confidence than playing any EPL team outside the top 4.
AW will be more concerned about those not traveling for international duty.
September 6th, 2008 at 8:52 am
That’s silly. His biggest concern right now is getting his Gunners back healthy. In fact, I’d bet there’s not a single Manager in the Prem feeling as romantic about the international break as you’re suggesting.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Update on that Ghanaian international Appiah: came on at 22min for Essien who suffered a knee injury. Ghana lost 1-0 to Libya. No report on his overall play yet. Fingers-crossed
September 5th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Scolari must be wringing his hands in despair.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
This quote from BBC indicates that Appiah did quite well today - “The former Fenerbahce midfielder didn’t look rusty as Agogo and Muntari failed to utilise his inch-perfect passes.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7600942.stm
September 6th, 2008 at 12:43 am
The most annoying things of modern days football -
The greedy agents, the play acting players, the never-stop-moaning fans, and, the international break.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Was watching Sportscenter the other day when the Berbatov transfer happened….and sports presenter was talking about how Berbatov was saying that the move was “a dream come true” ..i was thinking about how cliched can these players get when such transfers happen…that’s when the presenter added a statement “it’s surprising how many players dreams have come true during this transfer window…” :)) ..when the sports presenters themselves start getting cynical..you know everything is not right with the world of football.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
its our right to moan… we pay for the tickets and merchandise…
and the international football is a big part of the sport…
so I don’t find it annoying at all… its just part of the whole package.
September 6th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Cesc rocks - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_4107011,00.html
He says all the right things, at such a young age. I hope he stays with us for long.
September 6th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
if we don’t put ourselves in position to actually win something, he won’t be staying “for long”…
in my opinion.
Have to make the CL… obviously, or he’s gone.
He’s not wasting his immense talent playing in the UEFA cup or just in the EPL…
September 6th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Taking advantage of the international break…to talk of something other than football
Giving link to an article which appeared today …in one of my favourite business newspapers here in India
With the increasing spate of disagreements on this site…i think all of us (yup..including me in this
) would do well to read through this
http://www.livemint.com/2008/09/04235841/How-do-you-balance-expertise-a.html
Cheers,
September 6th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
ManCity “a £135million bid for Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo”. I don’t understand how most people on this site say that ManCity will not be able to break the top 4 in the next few years. Almost every player has his price(robinho being the best example) and would be willing to join a 2nd rate club for an unparalleled amount of money.
The impressive history of the top 4 clubs can only do so much to influence a player. ManCity will not be a threat this season but I’m sure they will be in the following years. ugh….
September 6th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
of course they will, if they have the money to splash, they definitely will be a big threat to the top 4… not a bad thing at all.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Appiah.
Have been rumors… hopefully we bring him in.
Worst case, he doesn’t do well enough… and we release him.
It would actually be good to see us buy a player… but at this point, I’ll take them for free too. We need to use all avenues available to improve.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Back on topic. Ireland win 2-1. Trap can’t stop the needless concession of late goals.
One worry for Arsenal was the form of Stephen Reid of Blackburn, a player who has had a lot of injury in the last two years but is in form right now.
September 6th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Bendtner looked out of sorts in the 0-0 draw between Hungary and Denmark. He was indecisive, looked sluggish, had a bad first touch and missed the best chance of game when he hit the post in the first stanza.
Hope he gets back to form soon.
September 6th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Some shock results last night.
France lost to Austria.
Romania lose to Lithuania at home.
Sweden draw against Albania.
September 7th, 2008 at 1:15 am
As predicted, Theo won the starting place from Made it Big Bentley. though i thought it would take Theo 2 years, as it turned out, less than 2 months into the new season.
nevertheless, amazing how England could only manage to beat the part timers Andorra 2-0. it has confirmed to me this England side is the most overrated, overhyped national team of all time. hell, i doubt the entire Andorra squad earned more in a year than Rooney in a week. and they struggled to beat a team like that?
September 7th, 2008 at 1:47 am
And there are English journalists claiming that Andorra have no place in European football.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:16 am
For those who may not know, Andorra has a population of 72,000, less than the capacity of most large stadiums in the world.
September 7th, 2008 at 1:19 am
speaking of Rooney, the golden boy of England proved that when not playing with his world class teammates at United, he’s as good as rubbish. 11 months without an international goal for his nation, and he’s a forward? You only call a player like this a “great player” in England.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Andez, no doubt England are big time FLOPS on the International level, but please… don’t tell me Rooney isn’t a great player.
France have been extremely dissapointing as well in recent years, but the team is full of very good players.
The teams do not practice together often, are thrown together in mish-mash fasion at times, and players are out of their normal positions in some cases (see S.Gerrard complaining)… its different.
I love the fact that Andorra competed with England! 0-0 at half!!!
Thats brilliant. There was some painter / decorator in midfiled… playing for $0… relishing the chance to go up against Lampard!!
That is part of what makes International football interesting. (to me)
September 7th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
It’s funny that Capello chose Walcott in front of Bentley.
Heard a rumor that David Dein has stepped down as chairman of Red and White holdings or what ever their called. Damn, he sold all his shares, for what? Maybe we can bring him back. We’ve certainly struggled to bring in descent players since he’s left. Don’t know if there’s any way back though.
Kaka’s rep is saying he would consider joining Man City if they qualify for the CL this season. Money talks, bullshit walks. The CL would be a step up for Kaka this season. Well, they’ll still have Flamini and Senderos.
September 7th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Had forgotten Walcott got his place ahead of Bentley and Pennant. So Capello sees it the same way as Wenger.
So many blogs wanted either of those two back after they were sold. While I wouldn’t rule Bentley out quite yet and he talks better than he plays, Pennant certainly looks finished as a top player. What was he doing turning down Stoke?
September 8th, 2008 at 3:27 am
Perhaps now Theo could offer some “advice” to Mr. Bentley on how to “make it big”.
not saying Theo is that much better than Bentley. still, when u think back it’s merely a few months ago a certain David Bentley actually had the cheek to offer some “advice” to young Theo on how to further his career is quite comical. who did he think he was? David Beckham?
September 8th, 2008 at 3:36 am
Stag, what amazed me most about Rooney is over the years, he seemingly never improved. he’s big and strong, aggressive. but he’s big and strong and aggressive when he was 16. what other areas had him added to his game?
then when we look at Fabregas and Ronaldo, roughly the same age group as Rooney. in recent years, both had taken a hugh step forward and started establishing themselves as the World Class players of this world.
mark my words, in a year or two, when United have all their players fit, now with the addition of Barbertov, i seriously doubt Rooney would still be able to keep his first team place at United. Ronaldo, Barbertov, Tevez are all better than him. while Nani and Anderson looks like a pair of young talent with a hugh upside. i doubt their progression will be standing still like Rooney does in a few years’ time.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Rooney is excellent.
I doubt he will be a non-first team player at United.
Joe Cole is NOT better than Rooney. You have to be kidding!
Because Cole pops in a few goals internationally, he’s better than Rooney?
Andez, United are LOADED with talent… and Rooney is part of that equation. With no Ronaldo last year, he helped tear us apart at Old Trafford.
September 8th, 2008 at 3:43 am
btw, not every English player are crap though. i have said it for a while already, the most talented English player of the current coup, IMO without a doubt - Joe Cole. He may not have as much a hype as Rooney, but he’s definitely a better player, and been improving a great deal in the past 2 or 3 seasons.
Rio Fredinand as a defender also has improved. at least at United, with the help of his defensive partner Vidic.
And of course, Steven Gerrard, England IMO will be a better team had a manager be gutsy enough to leave out Lampard and play Gerrard in the middle for good. The key difference between the pair -
Chelsea made Lampard looks better.
Gerrard made Liverpool a better team.
September 8th, 2008 at 7:07 am
I agree with you Andez concerning Ferdinand and Cole. They are two former West Ham products that focus on the technical component of the game more so than the typical English “run-hard, kick-hard” game. Joe Cole has always been a technical player and you’ve got to give Mourinho credit for developing him and forcing him to accept more tactical responsibility with his defending. If Gerrard had played under Mourinho, I think he’d be even better than he already is.
I remember arguing the point on numerous English websites after Eduardo was injured how the best English defenders don’t defend like Taylor did. I used Ferdinand as an example. He’s got very descent pace, his tackling technique is incredible, and he’s pretty comfortable with the ball at his feet. He’s the one world class player that England has. I’ve never seen him attempt the illegal tackle that Taylor did. It’s not all about “run-hard, kick-hard” with him.
Ferdinand and Cole have found a way to break the typical English mold and actually be technically competent footballers. It’s a cultural thing for the Brits as they seem to believe the only way to find success is to work hard all the time. It takes more than just running hard to be great but the players that don’t run as hard will often be overlooked in most English academies; hence they don’t make it to the top. Likewise, the English don’t have the proper blend of technical excellence to complement their determined approach.
Gerrard’s an exception as he’s seemed to have found the perfect blend of both playing in the English academies as well as the mersyside streets to hone his technique, creative expression, and toughness. As a young man, he’s seen his English approach not measure up to the likes of Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira and recognized he needed to change. Big up to him.
I even believe Bentley has the potential to become a top quality player. As for now, it’s about Theo. He’ll out-perform his countrymen in training with England as he’s used to playing against better players in training everyday than the English have to offer. We’ll see how he does.
September 8th, 2008 at 7:09 am
West Ham, Everton, and Manchester City are the three BPL teams that have youth programs that even come close to Arsenal.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Our youth program usually goes out on loan, or we ship them out like Bentley, Pennant, etc…