International Round-up (10th-11th October)

The international break concluded last night. Fourteen Gunners were involved in matches across Europe on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Injuries had meant that Nicklas Bendtner, Freddie Ljungberg had withdrawn from their teams camps, and William Gallas was not scheduled to play for France but was later included over Jean-Alain Boumsong. Ljungberg injured a calf against Spain and Bendtner picked up a slight knee strain.

Leighton Baines had given England U21 a slender 1-0 lead over Germany U21 in the first leg in England. The second leg looked like it was heading to a 0-0 draw, but not long after Theo Walcott was brought on he gave England U21 when he finished off Leighton Baines' long pass, using his speed to fly by the German defence, control the ball and finish easily by Rensing's outstretched left-hand.

In injury time he scored his second, slaloming through the German defence after winning the ball in his own half to send England U21 through to next years tournament in the Netherlands with a plum of a finish after bursting through the German defence and finished with the outside of his boot; a goal not that unlike some of Thierry Henry's efforts. Justin Hoyte also played this game, coming on for David Nugent.

Brazil played their second friendly in Europe on the Tuesday as well, this time against fellow South Americans Ecuador in Stockholm. Fred and Kaká scored the goals that won the game for the five-time World Cup winners 2-1. Gilberto started and finished the match, but Julio Baptista was not involved. Instead he played in Arsenal Reserves 2-1 win over Charlton Reserves on Monday, Fran Merida getting on the scoresheet again.

After being sidelined with a knee injury for the last two Arsenal matches Johan Djourou returned to match action as Switzerland played fellow co-hosts of Euro 2008, Austria, in Innsbruck in an international friendly. The Austrians would win 2-1, but the big news for Arsenal fans is that Djourou completed the full ninety minutes, and looks likely to play on the weekend against Watford. With compatriot Philippe Senderos returning for the reserves on Tuesday competition for places in the heart of defence is really heating up.

Spain also played a friendly, against Argentina in Murcia. The Spanish rebounded from two dispirited defeats on the bounce to beat the South Americans 2-1. Francesc Fabregas was on the bench, and made a late appearance as he was subbed on for Miguel Angulo fifteen minutes from time. Xavi and David Villa scored for Spain.

A medial ligament injury in his knee ruled Nicklas Bendtner out of the Denmark squad. The Danes continued their solid start to the campaign with an easy 4-0 win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz, Tomasson scoring a double in Bendtner's absence.

Freddie Ljungberg was also absent from the Sweden game in Iceland. As per the norm these days, the Sweden captain picked up an injury, this time to his calf, and ruled himself out of the trip to Iceland. Sweden won their fourth successive game 2-1, Wilhelmsson scoring the winning goal after Lyon's Källström equalised.

Injury had ruled William Gallas out of France's trip to Hampden Park on the weekend, the hamstring strain he picked up against Porto ruling him out, and he was doubtful in the lead up for their second game. Eventually the World Cup finalists welcomed the Arsenal defender back into the middle of defence with Lillian Thuram as the French hosted minnows Faroe Islands. It was an easy stroll for the French, winning 5-0. Gallas completed the full ninety minutes to stake his claim for selection on the weekend.

Thierry Henry scored and moved within three goals of the French goal scoring record when he added the second goal of the game. Manchester United's Louis Saha struck the first after just thirty-six seconds, Henry instrumental in the build up. Henry was taken off midway through the second half (61st minute) for former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka. France scored three times after Henry's substitution, Anelka and Trezeguet adding goals three, four and five as the finalists went level with Scotland.

Group leaders Czech Republic went to Dublin confident of a win, but Tomas Rosicky and co. faced a Republic of Ireland team determined to make amends for their horror showing in Cyprus on the weekend. The boys in green went ahead just after the hour through Wigan's Kevin Kilbane, but the Czechs woke up and equalised.

Former team-mates at Borussia Dortmund Jan Koller and Tomas Rosicky combined once again, Koller running onto Rosicky's pass to smack home the equaliser by the Irish keeper just two minutes after the Irish scored, and it finished 1-1. Rosicky played the full game.

Third choice goalkeeper Mart Poom started for his country as they played neighbours Russia just over the border in St. Petersburg. It was a tight affair, and Hiddink's Russians only went ahead deep into the second half after Poom had repeatedly denied the home side. Pavel Pogrebnyak put Russia in front, and in injury time Dmitry Sychev sealed the game for Russia.

Meanwhile Arsenal's number one keeper, Jens Lehmann, returned in the German goal, after being rested for the weekend friendly against Georgia, as they smacked Slovakia 4-1 in Bratislava. The Germans were 3-0 up before half time, and Stan Varga's consolation goal meant little as Lukas Podolski added his second as the Germans cruised to a comfortable 4-1 win, Lehmann was rarely tested by the Slovaks.

Alexander Hleb and Belarus recorded a rare victory in a thrilling 4-2 triumph over Slovenia. Belarus were down 1-2 at half time, but rallied in the second half with three goals. The Arsenal midfielder played his part in all the comeback goals, along with brother Vyacheslav. Hleb, like Rosicky, completed the full ninety minutes.

In the same group the Netherlands defeated Albania 2-1 in Amsterdam. Robin van Persie sent Oranje on their way with an early goal, and then doubled it when his cross was turned into his own net by Beqaj. van Persie continued his impressive international scoring record for the Netherlands, and that first half strike was his seventh in Dutch colours. Albania grabbed one back in the second half, but the Netherlands held on to stay atop of Group G.

Now we can get back to the real football.

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