The Soccer Blog: Gunners Get Ready For European Qualifiers

Friday, 3 September 2010

Gunners Get Ready For European Qualifiers

By: Sairax | September 3rd, 2010

There’s finally some football today! I know internationals aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but these actually mean something and aren’t just random friendlies, so that’s something right? Plus we’ve got some Gunners in action, and I love watching our guys play. If you’ve got some time to kill then check out the numerous qualifiers that are going on today.

The U-21 European qualifiers have been in progress for months now. Jack Wilshere has been called up for England to face Portugal today (1:00pm ET). England and Portugal currently sit in second and third in their group separated by only a point, so this will be an important game where both teams will be pushing for the win. Jack was recently called up to the senior NT but I think most are quite happy for him to take his time before being thrust into the spotlight and scrutiny that comes with being on the England team. I’m sure he will be playing a big role in the match today.

Our two youthful goalkeepers, Wojciech Sczcesny and Vito Mannone, have both been called up to their U-21 squads. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty interested in seeing how they do today. There’s a lot of hype surrounding these two, mainly due to the fact that we’ve all been waiting and wishing for the kind of goalkeeper that will be a total monster for us in the back and not some sort of spineless jellyfish. Sczcesny will be playing for Poland against Finland (12:00pm ET). Mannone will be in net for Italy against Bosnia (11:00am ET).

Our final youth callup is Armand Traore who recently competed a move to Juventus on loan. His team, France, will be facing group leaders Ukraine for an important 3 points (12:30pm).

The 2012 European qualifiers begin today for the rest of our internationals. All eyes are currently on England. Fresh off of a disappointing and lacklustre World Cup, the England team have a lot to prove to their fans. Their previous European qualifying campaign ended with them not even qualifying, so they will definitely have a lot of pressure. Fabio Capello has been under a ton of scrutiny and critics will be dissecting his every decision. Luckily they are not playing a powerhouse team like Spain, but they could still have their hands full with a Berbatov-less Bulgaria. Theo Walcott is expected to start and Kieran Gibbs will be on the bench unless something happens to Ca$hley. Let’s hope Theo gets an early hattrick and then gets a second half rest (3:00pm ET).

The France NT is in a very similar position to the England NT. They had an awful World Cup: no wins, one goal, in-fighting, players leaving, a strike, and just general chaos. I can’t even begin to explain how disheartened and disappointed I was in seeing this team fall apart before our very eyes. They have a huge mountain to overcome in redeeming themselves to the French public. They have a new coach at least, Laurent Blanc, former French international and coach of Bordeaux. He doesn’t have the bar set high considering who he is succeeding, but he has already begun to crack down on the team with new rules regarding behaviour and appearance. Their first qualifier will be against Belarus (aka the country where Hleb comes from) so that should ease some of the pressure. Our very own Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, and Abou Diaby were called up even though they were present during the fiasco in South Africa. In fact, there are rumours that Sagna may be getting the captain’s armband for today’s game. Kickoff is at 3:00pm ET.

Our captain Cesc Fabregas will be warming the bench for the newly crowned World Cup champions Spain against Liechtenstein (2:45pm ET). What can I say? If they don’t totally smash their opponents, I shall be very surprised. Andrei Arshavin will be hoping to erase his disappointment at missing out on the World Cup by playing for Russia against Andorra (12:30om ET). Thomas Vermaelen will be in defense for a fractuous Belgian side against a very confident and talented German team coming off a thrilling World Cup run (2:45pm ET).

That’s your international round-up for today. There are a few games tomorrow so remember to check this space for some potential Eboue! The long weekend is also kicking off today so have a good one everybody!

Some Related Stories:Arsenal Win Emirates Cup; Wilshere, Frimpong to Stay; Wenger Confirms “Not Close” to Signing AnyoneNews Round Up: Jack Arrested in Fracas; Goalkeeper UpdateAre Arsenal on the Verge of the Next “Golden Generation” of English Talent?Xavi and Arshavin Speak, Theo Stays HomeSeason in Review, Part II: The In-Between

Category: Abou Diaby, Andrey Arshavin, Armand Traore, Arsenal News, Bacary Sagna, Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy, Internationals, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott, Thomas Vermaelen, Vito Mannone

Tags: Abou Diaby, Andrey Arshavin, Armand Traore, Arsenal News, bacary sagna, Cesc Fabregas, Euro 2012, Gael Clichy, Internationals, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott, Thomas Vermaelen, U-21 Euro 2011, Vito Mannone
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Gigi_manYeah, at least these games are worth something...just rather not have anyone injured and not play for Arsenal afterwards...
Great for Sagna, I love the guy!AlexinhoNasri may be coming back early from injury.

I believe someone said in the comments when he got injured "the problem is, he'll play in three weeks [instead of the scheduled month], and he'll re-injure himself" and he'll be out for even longer, in spurts throughout the season...

Whoever that was, you hit the nail right on the head unfortunately...Darren_VHaha, Robbie KeaneDarren_VIreland are terrible.Isabel GhoseHow can you say such a thing?!? Yeah okay we are pretty awful but we are winning :DDarren_VYou better be able to beat Armenia... but it's not like you controlled the match at all... They scared the Irish that game imo... Not a good signIsabel GhoseWe're not great to watch but we do well enough for a country of our size! Watching Ireland will give you a heart attack though... we always seem to let teams back into the match! And our top goal scorer (Robbie Keane) is not getting played at club level!MartinI wish more of our players would do this after coming back from an injury or getting a bit older:

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_6355684,00.htmlHomey_MillsI don't know much about the Belgian team, but I know I read a while back that they have a ridiculous amount of young talent. I'm curious to see how they do, and hopefully they'll qualify for the Euros.
Also, I'm leaving town with Mrs. Homey for a week, so I won't be on too much. I'll still read everything though, in what should be a fairly slow week for Arsenal news.SairaxThey have a lot of talent but there are a lot of personality clashes and discipline problems. I'm not sure if they changed coaches or not because he didn't seem to have it under control, but I don't know a ton about the Belgian team.

Have a good long weekend!axeljan vertonghen who plays with ajax is TV5's best bud..he claimed to be interested in joining arsenal next season..blog comments powered by Disqus

England vs Bulgaria (5-1 - overly optimistic?) Liveblog Factory Records Peter Saville creates New England Shirt Injuries abound as England stutter toward qualifying opener more news...

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Friday, 3 September 2010

Gunners Get Ready For European Qualifiers

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