Jon 0 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Despite all the millions spent by Chelsea, Real Madrid et al, Arsenal in fact had more players than any other club playing at the World Cup. With 16 players in total, almost two-thirds of the games in Germany had an Arsenal connection. As Arsene Wenger pointed out in the build up to the tournament, Arsenal were the only club to field three teenagers in Germany. Cesc Fabregas, who forced his way into the Spanish starting line-up and transformed the game against France, certainly emerged with his reputation enhanced. So too did Johan Djourou, the hugely talented Swiss defender, who coped well with both Thierry Henry and Andriy Shevchenko during his brief appearances, but had his tournament unluckily cut short when he had to be taken off against the Ukraine in the second round. The emphatic exception to this rule was Theo Walcott who, as everyone knows, did not play even a minute in Germany. From an Arsenal point of view, however, Walcott’s World Cup trip should be a positive, although the 17-year-old may have been badly affected by the apparent sudden lack of faith from manager Eriksson, and especially the media reaction to his inclusion. The man Walcott claims to model himself on, Thierry Henry, was unable to quite change the perception of many that he flatters to deceive on the biggest stage. But overall Henry can be fairly pleased with his endeavours; he contributed three goals – including a superb winner against Brazil – and enjoyed much success going past players. Despite suffering the unfortunate double whammy of Champions’ League and World Cup final defeat within two months, Henry still enjoyed a much happier time than in 2002, when he failed to score and was also sent-off. Pre-tournament signing Tomas Rosicky’s ebullient performance against the USA, in which he scored two spectacular goals, had pundits drooling that Wenger had unearthed another bargain. Thereafter his slightness seemed to count against him, but the first impressions for Arsenal fans were undoubtedly good ones. For hosts Germany, Jens Lehman more than justified his selection ahead of Oliver Khan. He was probably the second best goalkeeper of the tournament behind Buffon; and, incredibly, there are strong rumours linking us with the World Cup winner. For all Lehman’s excellence last season, he is 36. Signing perhaps the world’s best keeper would be incredible, though Arsenal will not be short of competition. But almost all of Arsenal’s players could be content with their exploits. Emmanuel Eboue and especially Kolo Toure performed well for an Ivory Coast side unlucky to exit in the first round. The two defenders had the unenviable task of taking on Robin van Persie at his best in an intriguing battle. Van Persie was terrific throughout, scoring a superb free-kick against his team-mates, creating Arjen Robben’s goal against Serbia and even keeping his cool when all around him were losing theirs during the Portugal-Holland match. During Holland’s four games, van Persie, playing slightly out of position on the right-wing, looked every inch as good as Arjen Robben. If he can become more consistent, van Persie has the talent to become a great. Freddy Ljunberg was impressive for Sweden, scoring the crucial winner against Paraguay; Gilberto Silva came into the Brazil team and outshone many of their superstars. Jose Reyes only played one game for Spain, though he did create a goal; Emmanuel Adebayor was slightly disappointing in a poor Togo team. For England, Ashley Cole provided evidence of his big-match temperament once more with another sterling performance against Portugal. The manner in which he linked up with his Chelsea namesake down the left was perhaps England’s biggest strength; however, it was also a reminder that the Cole-Pires partnership, which was so effective for Arsenal, will never play together again. Sol Campbell’s chaos-inducing 35 minutes as a sub against Sweden reinforced the view Campbell is nothing like the player he was a couple of years ago. His departure from the club is sad, but one has to think it is best for all concerned; Campbell spending most his time on the bench, as he surely would had he stayed on, creates a difficult situation for both player and club. Perhaps the factor that confirmed beyond doubt to both Campbell and the club that it would be wise to terminate the player’s contract was Phillipe Senderos’ fantastic play for Switzerland. The 21-year-old led superbly from the centre of defence; he even marshalled Thierry Henry with, at times, almost contemptuous ease. Senderos was something of a wreck at the start of last season, but showed the strength of his character through his magnificent response. During the group stages, he was arguably the best central defender on show, the key factor in a Swiss defence that went out of the competition without conceding a goal. And, if anyone was looking for a reason why those Tony Adams comparisons are more than mere hopeful conjecture, it surely came when Senderos scored the opening goal in his country’s crunch game with South Korea. Blood pouring down his nose, Senderos looked positively Terry Butcher-esque. Sadly, the Swiss talisman later picked up a shoulder injury and had to go off, although he should be back in time for the start of the season. When he does, it will be as Arsenal’s finest player at the World Cup, and a man ready to continue his impressive partnership with Kolo Toure. Knew there was a fair amount of players featured but didnt realise it was quite as many as that. Also interesting about the view on Campbell. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
juffery 0 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Campbell has completley lost it. Chaos-inducing, I like! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colshy18 0 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 heres a question for arsehole wenger then...... HOW MANY ENGLISH PLAYERS DID YOU HAVE FROM ARSENAL AT THE WORLD CUP???? dobber:flipa: 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon 0 Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 Cole, Welcott, Campbell kinda equals Terry, Cols and Lampard I think but then its late an I could be wrong lol 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurlock 0 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 C'mon Steffi !! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colshy18 0 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 bugger forgot about walcott. in second thoughts HE doesn`t count........ .........he never played;) 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon 0 Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 bugger forgot about walcott. in second thoughts HE doesn`t count........ .........he never played;) Neither did Lampard...... Oh sorry he did, just not very well and scored the same amount of goals as Welcott. hehe Only kidding, still think it was criminal taking Welcott ahead of Defoe and not even giving the kid a few minutes 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colshy18 0 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Neither did Lampard...... Oh sorry he did, just not very well and scored the same amount of goals as Welcott. hehe Only kidding, still think it was criminal taking Welcott ahead of Defoe and not even giving the kid a few minutes aye youve actually got a good case their. and i agree that walcotts decision probably sealed englands fate! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 heres a question for arsehole wenger then...... HOW MANY ENGLISH PLAYERS DID YOU HAVE FROM ARSENAL AT THE WORLD CUP???? dobber:flipa: Colshy, that's not Wengers problem. He does what's best for Arsenal NOT England! Your blue tinted opinions are hilarious! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colshy18 0 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Colshy, that's not Wengers problem. He does what's best for Arsenal NOT England! Your blue tinted opinions are hilarious! gav, sorry but YOUR WRONG! nearly every premiership manager is as guilty as the next for not taking the countrys interests at heart. i accept he has a duty to do good for the club, but being manager of that club he has sureley got a duty to promote youth from this country in order to increase the potential! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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