Internationals: Fabregas reigns with Spain
A host of Arsenal players are away on international duty, swapping their usual shirts for those of their respective countries.
Arsenal.com will bring you all the news of how they got on with a complete round-up of the week's international action starting in Brussels.
Player Profile - Cesc FabregasSpain
Cesc Fabregas
Belgium 1-2 Spain, October 15th.
Cesc Fabregas came on after 16 minutes as Spain came from behind to maintain their 100 per cent start to their qualifying campaign. Belgium took an early lead through Club Brugge striker Wesley Sonck after seven minutes but Spain were level 10 minutes before the break. Fabregas slipped an inch-perfect pass to Andres Iniesta who rounded the keeper and finished from a tight angle. It looked as if Belgium had managed a creditable draw against the European champions but David Villa headed home two minutes before time to secure the points for Spain. Fabregas suffered a suspected broken nose during proceedings but was able to finish the game.
Player Profile - Theo WalcottEngland
Theo Walcott
Belarus 1-3 England, October 15th.
Theo Walcott played 68 minutes for England as they maintained their 100 per cent start in Group Six with a comprehensive victory in Belarus. Steven Gerrard handed the hosts the lead after 11 minutes but the visitors pulled level on the half-hour. Despite looking threatening throughout the first half, Belarus fell behind five minutes after the break when Wayne Rooney slotted home from close range. The Manchester United striker wrapped up the victory 15 minutes from time when he capped a superb three-man move with a deft finish from just inside the area.
Player Profile - Robin van PersieHolland
Robin van Persie
Norway 0-1 Holland, October 15th.
Robin van Persie came on after 56 minutes as Holland battled to a 1-0 win against Norway in Oslo. A turgid affair was finally settled two minutes after the hour when Mark van Bommel lashed home a volley from distance to hand the visitors the victory. The three points keep Holland top of Group Nine with three wins from thee games, while Norway sit fourth.
Player Profile - Carlos VelaMexico
Carlos Vela
Canada 2-2 Mexico, October 15th.
Carlos Vela was withdrawn after 67 minutes of Mexico’s 2-2 draw against spirited Canada. The hosts took the lead through Ali Gerba after 12 minutes but Mexico levelled just after the half-hour when PSV defender Carlos Salcido saw his effort deflected home. Tomasz Radzinski put Canada back in front 10 minutes after half time but they couldn’t hold on. Matias Vuoso equalised once again for the visitors after 64 minutes to send them a point clear of Honduras at the top of North, Central America and Caribbean Group Two.
Player Profile - Johan DjourouSwitzerland
Johan Djourou
Greece 1-2 Switzerland, October 15th.
Johan Djourou was forced to sit out Switzerland’s vital 2-1 victory in Greece because of injury. The result put an end to Greece’s 100% record in Group Two and moved the Swiss to just two points off the top. Alexander Frei and Blaise N’Kufo struck either side of an Angelos Charisteas goal to hand the visitors all three points.
Player Profile - Lukasz FabianskiPoland
Lukasz Fabianski
Slovakia 2-1 Poland, October 15th.
Lukasz Fabianski was an unused substitute in Poland’s dramatic 2-1 defeat in Slovakia. Bolton loanee Ebi Smolarek had put the visitors ahead after 70 minutes when he prodded home a low cross but a quickfire double from Jakub Blaszczykowski secured victory for the hosts. Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc dropped a routine catch in the 85th minute allowing Blaszczykowski to finish an easy chance and he grabbed his second a minute later to move Slovakia top of Group Three.
Player Profile - Aaron RamseyWales
Aaron Ramsey
England U21 2-2 Wales U21, October 14th.
Aaron Ramsey’s excellent display was not enough to stop Wales succumbing to a 5-4 aggregate defeat to England in their European Championship play-off on Tuesday night. Ramsey had created both Welsh goals in the first leg and picked up where he left off in the second. Tom Huddlestone had given England a 13th minute lead but Ramsey’s pile driver from 25 yards leveled the scores. The 17-year-old was involved again four minutes later when he set-up Simon Church to make it 2-1 to Wales. Sam Vokes put into his own net 10 minutes before the break and the 2-2 final score was enough to hand England passage to next year’s Under-21 European Championships.
Player Profile - Gael ClichyFrance
Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, William Gallas
France 3-1 Tunisia, October 14th
Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna played 90 minutes of France’s friendly victory over Tunisia on Tuesday night. Issam Jemaa had fired the visitors into a shock 30th minute lead but Thierry Henry struck either side of half time to put the hosts in control. Lyon striker Karim Benzema put the result beyond doubt after 58 minutes when he slid home Les Bleus’ third.
