In total, Arsenal sent sixteen players to the World Cup finals, second only to Manchester City who sent nineteen, and with the majority of those players featuring deep into the latter stages of the tournament, we take a look at the contribution from Arsenal players in the final and the latest team news ahead of our Premier League season opener against Coventry.
Sunday evening on July 19th in New York saw the current European champions Spain, defeat current World cup holders Argentina in extra time by a solitary goal and claim their second gold star on the world stage. The only goal of a rather stop start game was scored by Ferran Torres in the first period of extra time after the Argentinians went down to ten men on the stroke of 90 minutes. Argentina's matchwinner against England in the semi-finals, midfielder Enzo Fernanadez was sent off for a boisterous challenge on Pau Cubarsi and even with talisman Lionel Messi the Argentinians failed to provide a reply to Torres goal. On the balance of play it was the deserving Spanish team that were crowned champions with Arsenal represented on the biggest stage of all by midfielders, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino.
Merino became the eighth Arsenal player to play in a World Cup final when he replaced Dani Olmo in the 75th minute and Martin Zubimendi the ninth as he came on for Rodri in extra-time.
In an already historic season playing for the Gunners, Merino, Zubimendi and David Raya made it a perfect year by adding their names to the list of Arsenal players to win the World Cup. Arsenal's record shotstopper Raya, unfortunately was an unused substitute throughout the tournament while his counterpart, Unai Simon, Spain's number one and current number one for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao won the golden glove conceding a remarkable solitary goal throughout the event.
Saka
Bukayo Saka shook off any niggling injury doubts to star in England's third place play off goal fest against France on the Saturday evening before the final, scoring a memorable hat trick in an exciting 6-4 win. Fellow Arsenal team mates, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze also featured with Rice opening the scoring with a sweet strike with three minutes on the clock. It was also the first time in 44 years that three Arsenal players started for England in a FIFA World Cup match, the last time was in 2002 against Brazil with David Seaman, Sol Campbell, and Ashley Cole selected from Arsenal.
Injuries
The Arsenal defence will look a little different in the opening weeks of the Premier League with the news this week that William Saliba, a major part of the Gunners defence in their title winning season will miss out in the first few games at least. The report on Arsenal's official website stated that "Subsequent specialist reviews on William’s return to London this week have confirmed that he has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation. Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme. William’s rehabilitation will commence immediately, with continual management of his injury, and he is expected to be out of action for an extended period". Similarly, Jurrien Timber is a doubt for the season opener after retiring early from the Netherlands World Cup camp due to a nagging groin/pelvic injury and at this stage hasn't got a definitive return date.
Pre Season
Arsenal begin their pre-season preparation with friendlies against Spanish opposition Girona at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi on August 1st and Real Betis in Dublin at the Aviva Stadium on August 5th. It's back to the Emirates then as Arsenal face Bundesliga's Borussia Dortmund on August 9th in the Emirates cup followed by an August 12th clash against Italian side Como. The first chance of silverware this season comes swiftly after as Arsenal take on Manchester City in the community Shield at Cardiff where new signing Christos Tzolis could make his debut. The 24-year-old forward joined from Club Brugge where he chalked up 108 appearances scoring 43 goals and assisting 45 times for the Belgian side, he has also represented his national side Greece on 34 occasions and is an exciting prospect for the Arsenal front line this season.
