By Sumaiya Vawda
We’ve all revelled in Bukayo Saka’s performance and were pleased for Gabriel Martinelli to get his first taste of the World Cup. Besides the current crop, you might have found a few other Arsenal-related names on team-sheets in Qatar. Let’s take a look at the former Gunners participating in this World Cup.
Takuma Asano
The Japanese forward scored the winning goal as his side upset Germany in their Group E encounter. He was signed in 2016 by Arsene Wenger but his story quickly became a transfer window fail as he was denied a working permit in the UK. After a few loan spells, he left the club in 2019 after never having made a senior appearance.
Krystian Bielik
The former Hale-End attendee is currently on loan at Birmingham City from Derby County. The Pole entered the fray at half-time in a 0-0 draw with Mexico. When asked why Bielik did not start the game, the Poland manager responded, “Who was Bielik supposed to play over for in the starting line-up? I can't start twelve players. Those who started are the absolute best we have. Tell me a more offensive line-up than what we had yesterday.”
Joel Campbell
It feels like Joel Campbell is a name that has been resurfacing at World Cups for aeons yet he is only 30 years old. The Costa Rican, who made 23 appearances for Arsenal, started against Spain on Wednesday. Unfortunately for Campbell, his side was on the end of a 7-0 defeat with no consolation.
Olivier Giroud
Karim Benzema’s injury opened the door for the unfading centre forward to start for Les Bleus. He scored a brace in his nation’s victory against Australia. In so doing, he equalled Thierry Henry’s tally of 51 goals as joint leading goalscorer for France. His late refinement into a consistent focal point has left regret on the tongues of some Arsenal fans.
Matteo Guendouzi
The ousted 23-year old was an unused substitute for France along with William Saliba.
Emi Martinez
The Argentine played the full game in his side’s shock defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia. The goalkeeper was not at his best as he let in two goals in one of the biggest surprise victories in the tournament’s history. Memes and taunts from Arsenal fans were quick to follow on social media as his move away from the Emirates seems to be proving itself as best for all.
Yunus Musah
Musah was an Arsenal academy player from age 9 to 16 before he joined Valencia. He went on to declare for the US mens senior team and is now a widely admired midfield talent. He played 75 minutes in his side’s draw with Wales and will come up against England later today. Asked about Musah featuring for the US (and not England), Gareth Southgate said, "(Berhalter has been) very proactive on recruitment, talent identification. Obviously he took one of ours, which we weren’t very happy about."
Mat Ryan
The goalkeeper captained Australia in their tournament opener. The Aussies took a surprise lead before conceding four goals.
Wojciech Szczesny
The third of Arsenal’s former goalkeepers started in a disappointing draw. For his part, he provided 44% of all passes that reached Robert Lewandowski. In transfer news, rumours are that the Juventus man has been offered to Spurs but the Premier League outfit are not interested at this time.
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