Arsenal Players in France Team Against Romania

Today, the French national football squad of 22-members was announced for the match against Romania. It is a world cup 2010 qualifying match and it is very important for France. France in the first match suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat against Austria in Austria and then won the home match against Serbia by 2-1. The good news for the French fans is that Patrick Vieira and Franck Ribery have been called back. Both of them were injured for sometime. Well, you know that Patrick Vieira used to play for Arsenal and he is considered to be one of the greatest Arsenal players among the fans. I was also happy to see two more Arsenal players in the defense. They are Arsenal captain William Gallas and Gael Clichy. There is another player in the defense who is Bacary Sagna from the London club. In midfield, I have talked about Patrick Vieira who now plays for Inter Milan and used to be in London in the past. In the forward line up, there is Thierry Henry who is currently playing for Barcelona, but in the past, he used to play for Arsenal. So, you can see that the past and present players of this London club constitute a significant portion French national team now.

I am happy for it and it did not surprise me because Arsene Wenger is from France. The only thing shocking to me is that Samir Nasri was not included in the 22-men squad. Coach Raymond Domenech thinks that Samir Nasri is not fit enough yet to play in the international level. Well, he may be wrong because in the midweek Samir Nasri played against Porto and was impressive.

Here, I am giving the names of the full squad of France for the Romania Match from Reuters:

Goalkeepers: Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille), Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon)

Defenders: William Gallas (Arsenal), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Rod Fanni (Stade Rennais), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla)

Midfielders: Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth)

Forwards: Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyon), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Florent Sinama-Pongolle (Atletico Madrid), Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique Marseille). (Editing by Clare Fallon)

Arsenal Pulled off 4-0 Victory over FC Twente to Confirm Champions League Group Stage

Arsenal showed some magnificent football against FC Twente at home last night. Gunners outclassed the opponents 4-0 to clinch a 6-0 overall score to ensure their group stage in Champions League. After the Fulham loss Arsenal needed a morale-booster performance against FC Twente and they did exactly what could have needed to make a strong come back. Moreover, Arsenal’s celebration has been extended as the midfielder Cesc Fabregas has returned in action from hamstring injury.

French midfielder Samir Nasri put Arsenal ahead in the 27^th minute when his firing left-foot shot past goal keeper Nicolay Mihaylov into the Twente goal. Following the goal Arsenal got more confident and created a number of scoring chances before half time. The visiting side could not pose any threat for the Gunners and I would say it was a total dominance by the home team.

Though Samir Nasri played well throughout the first half, he was substituted by Emmanuel Eboue at the half time because the French international was suffering from stomach problem. Just seven minutes into the second half, Arsenal doubled their lead thanks to a goal from William Gallas. Arsenal Captain just needed to tap the ball into the net. Theo Walcott played really well and scored the third goal for Arsenal. The winger took a curled shot at goal in the 66^th minutes that confirmed a big margin victory for the home team.

Denmark international Nicklas Bendtner was preferred to Emmanuel Adebayor in the starting line up, and Bendtner impressed with his performance as well, scoring the fourth goal for his team. With his injury time goal, Arsenal confirmed a total domination all through the match.

Actually, Bendtner looked like a competent target man in the match, even though he managed to get the ball only a number of occasions. However, the arrival of Fabregas was instrumental behind Arsenal’s spirited performance. For many Arsenal fans, it was a pleasing experience to see Fabregas and Nasri playing together for the first time.

Related article:

Reuters

Arsenal’s Samir Nasri to Replace Injured Ben Arfa in France Squad for Switzerland Friendly

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri has been called up to join France squad to replace injured midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa for a friendly against Switzerland. Nasri has won 12 international caps for France national side so far with two goals under his belt. Olympique Marseille's Arfa picked up an adductor problem in his club’s recent 4-0 victory over Auxerre.

Samir Nasri joined Arsenal on a £12m deal from Marseille in Summer transfer window. In his very first match for Arsenal, Nasri helped the London club clinch a 1-0 victory over West Bromwich, scoring his debut goal on Sunday. Now, let us see if Samir Nasri can continue his excellent form with France.

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AFP

Samir Nasri: The Man to Carry on Arsenal’s Hope of Winning Silverware?

Arsenal did not play bad over the last few seasons, but still they could not win any silverware sine 2005 FA Cup triumph. Arsenal even produced good football on a regular basis, but at the end of the day Gunners fans were not as happy as they could have been with some silverware. Now, after experiencing the Gunners in the first match of premier league against West Bromwich, there are many who think Arsenal has got what it lacked over the last couple of years to bring silverware at Emirates stadium this season. The indication is clearly to Arsenal’s £12m summer signing Samir Nasri, considered as the future of French football.

The 21-year-old already showed a glimpse of his skill in his debut match for Arsenal against West Bromwich, scoring the winning goal. Well, football pundits do not give much of thought to that goal when consider him a player worthwhile to be able to give Arsenal “the golden touch of King Midas.” Actually, though he started as a left winger in the match, Nasri made his presence felt in almost everywhere in the field.

What is more important is that he appeared with his ability to make an effective link between Arsenal midfield and attack. This is the link, some think, Arsenal has been missing for a number of seasons since the departure of Pires and Ljungberg.

Well, I think, Samir Nasri has immense talent and potential in him and there is no doubt about it. He is just 21 and has got someone like Arsene Wenger as his mentor. So, I think, he has an excellent career ahead of him, if he just sticks to his basics. However, still, it would not be fair to consider him as someone who can single-handedly bring success for the Gunners, because only one match has gone in the season. Moreover, Arsenal has to play well as a team, if they are to win silverware. Not anyone can do this himself. However, there is no doubt Samir Nasri will have a big impact in his debut season in English premier league.

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footballfancast

Samir Nasri Impressed in Debut Match for Arsenal

Arsenal’s French international Samir Nasri impressed everybody with his spirited performance in his debit match for Arsenal. It is not only that he scored the winning goal and handed Arsenal three points in the opening match of the season; rather it is his versatility on the field. Starting as a left flak, Nasri played almost everywhere in the field, giving no chance to the opposition to track him within a certain territory. His understanding with Gael Clichy was also something eye-catching.

In his post-match interview, the French midfielder said that he could not have asked for a better start in English football. He felt very comfortable in his debut match without facing any big problem, even though many thought he might need some time to adapt to the English style of football. The midfielder added that he was triaging very hard to increase his physical strength which is very important in English football. Nasri now wants to continue his form in the coming weeks. Manger Arsene Wenger is also happy with Nasri’s debut match performance and said that Nasri has some qualities of former Arsenal star Robert Pires because, he thinks, Nasri can change direction very easily like Pires.

Samir Nasri joined Arsenal on a £12million deal this Summer. It seems that Wenger once again purchased the right man for the right job.

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Goal.com