Just one week on from the joy of celebrating a second FA cup triumph in a row, this weekend proved to be chastening experience for the Arsenal players on international duty. So it was back down to earth with a bump for the Gunners in the France and England squads.
Kieran Gibbs had to watch from the bench as the England boss gave the whole 90 minutes to the steady but unexciting Ryan Bertrand from Southampton and Theo Walcott did not do much better, with less than 10 minutes at the end of the game despite England never looking like scoring.
It was even worse for the French players Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny who both started against Belgium. The whole team struggled and the service to the big striker was non existent but it does not help his cause that two of the three goals for France came after he was subbed and the first was a penalty which he had nothing to do with.
It was even worse for Koscielny as he and his defensive team mates were all over the place and could easily have conceded more than the four they did let in.
On a selfish note, however, there is good news for Arsenal as none of our stars were overplayed and none of them picked up any sort of knock and that is the most important thing for us ahead of a crucial and early start to the next Premier League campaign.
For the record:
Giroud 37 appearances 19 goals
Zlatan Ibra 39 appearances 32 goals
(In all competitions)
From: HTeeTeePee://www.soccerbase.com/
Zis is ze difference!
Man is deadly (does Kung fu apparently) in front or near of goal. Let’s all chip in and pay his wages as even AFC can afford his signing on fee.
Ibra is a beast and one of the most complete strikers in the world. but he’s not coming dude….
@ArseOverTit
Dude is an ego maniac. I think he’s a bluff. Would like to see him in the EPL though, on a cold and rainy night up against Adams and Shawcross…
So are Ronaldo and Messi. That’s why they are the best.
To be fair, don’t think those two players would particularly scare a 6ft 3″ swede who weighs 14st 9 pounds and does king fu.
He may not like rain though!?
* or even Kung fu:)
@ArseOverTit
He doesn’t have to be scared, they’ll take him down for fun.
And Zlatan is bosnian/croatian. Just born in Sweden…Han ar inte riktigt Svensk…LOL
Watched the France game, giroud played well, the lack of service to him was the reason he didn’t score…on IBRA I must say if we can sign him it would be an amazing signing. Once again like the Vidal roumor to good to be true
Danny Wellbeck 38 appearances 8 goals
Welbeck’s a project… not a 33 year old in ligue 1.
Near on a decade his senior
Here what you saying Josh but IMO DW will never be a patch on Ibra or the other similarly classes players.
Ibra as a kid at Ajax had more skill/natural ability/flair and eye for goal than DW will ever have.
DW is a great athlete but not a great footballer. He can work hard on the technical side of his game (he should) but he ain’t ever gonna be a gifted footballer.
@ArseOverTit
That remains to be seen…
I disagree. Think it’s a sure thing as I’ve seen him play.:)
Welbeck needs to be given more time and chance, he is one for the near future. I rate him highly and believe he will eventually shine for us. He has potential and lots of talent.
@ArseOvertit
But you cannot predict with certainty. Merely speculate from a biased stand point.
Bossieny will be fine. he Just didn’t take his Merts.
I was thinking Arsenal fans wanted a striket that is different from giroud in Physical attributes and playing style. AM not saying giroud is as good at Zlatan. Am saying that Zlatan is slow and he’s a target man. His wages as well of about £250k a week will cause serious problems at the club. You will increase the wages of sanches cazorla rambo Ozil etc. Zlatan is good but he is 34 soon and to be on that wage is crazy. I don’t see how this deal can happen.
I would prefer Martinez or Higuain or lacazette or Vietto
Giroud won the penalty you fool. Do your homework before writing articles