While Arsenal fans and Arsene Wenger do not tend to look forward to an international break with much more than gritted teeth and crossed fingers in case any of our players pick up an injury, we do also want the Gunners’ form and performances to be recognised by their national coaches.
So while I thought it was great news for Arsenal this week that the Germany boss Joachim Low would not be taking our play maker Mesut Ozil for the next two weeks in order to give him a rest, I was happy to see the international call-ups for the likes of Aaron Ramsey.
The one that really stood out, though, was the return to the France squad of our centre forward Olivier Giroud, who has been struggling to get into the Arsenal team and has missed a lot of the season with injury. Despite all that the big striker has still been chosen by Didier Deschamps over the Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, highlighting the huge difference between Arsenal and our Premier League rivals at the minute.
Martial was the most expensive teenage transfer ever and just like the world record transfer Paul Pogba, he is failing to justify that price tag at Old Trafford, while Giroud who cost the Gunners not much more than £10 million was a no brainer for the manager of the French team.
Deschamps said on FIFA.com, “It’s logical that he’s back.
“He was injured for a month, he could not play. He had a somewhat difficult time getting back in, but he played in the cup and the Champions League. As soon as he recovered and was back to full fitness, it was logical that this would be the decision.”
“Jose Mourinho and I expect more from Martial.”
Unfortunately for Man United, Jose Mourinho does not seem able to get the best out of any of his players, showing once again just how lucky Arsenal are to have in Arsene Wenger a boss that gets a team that cost much less than United’s playing better football and getting better results.
Who is the specialist in failure now Maureen?
Sam P.