Leigh Graydon
One relatively unusual aspect about the imminent World Cup is that Arsenal will have a lesser number of players than has been normal at the tournament. Seven will be on duty in Russia, of which only three were nailed-on first team starters last season. This reflects two things – firstly that significant players represent countries that simply failed to reach the finals, such as Wales, Armenia and Gabon, and secondly that the poor form of the team has meant that eligible players have simply not justified selection – such as Hector Bellerin, Alex Lacazette and Jack Wilshere.
This will certainly benefit new head coach Unai Emery as it means he will have a decent pool of players to work with pre-season. However, here is a rundown of the players that will report back to the club late – having enjoyed the mandatory three and a half week holiday after their respective countries’ involvement in the tournament is terminated.
There is a lot of speculation that keeper David Ospina may not be at the club next season. One thing that is certain is that he will start for his native Colombia if fit, with the South American side placed in one of the easier groups. They will take on Poland, Senegal and Japan in Group H, and will back themselves to make it into the round of 16.
When Arsenal signed French striker Alexandre Lacazette last summer, one would have imagined he would be making the trip to Russia. But France have such an incredible attacking lineup at the moment that the forwards’ places have been filled by Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Thomas Lemar (Monaco), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) and Florian Thauvin (Marseille). Lacazette is on the standby list in case any of the above get injured in the warm up games.
It must be particularly satisfying for Olivier Giroud to make the squad after effectively being forced out of Arsenal to ensure game time after the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Laurent Koscielny would have made the squad but for his injury during the Atletico Madrid semi-final second leg, but any advantage Arsenal might have gained by his non-selection will be lost by the reality he is unlikely to be fit again until 2019. France will be confident of progressing out of Group C, which features Australia, Peru and Denmark. They will be a major contender in Russia and are just behind equal favourites Brazil and Germany at 11/2.
Eyebrows were raised when Mesut Ozil declared he had a back problem after the second leg Europa League semi-final defeat at Atletico Madrid, especially when he tweeted that he would “need some time but I'm sure I'll fully recover in time for the World Cup.” Missing Arsenal’s final three Premier League matches led to suspicion that he was saving himself for Germany. Centre-back Shkodran Mustafi was part of the successful 2014 squad, although was used more at right back in Brazil, but he failed to make the cut this time. It remains to be seen how Emery utilises a defender that has not enjoyed the best of seasons as his club conceded a large number of goals. The Germans are always impressive when they compete at the World Cup and, with the side expected to get out of a group which contains Mexico, South Korea and Sweden, it’s easy to see why they are favourites here to win their fifth World Cup at 9/2.
The Spanish squad is something of a surprise in that Hector Bellerin has failed to make the cut and yet his full-back colleague Nacho Monreal has. Initially, the Champions League final injury to Real Madrid’s right back Dani Carvajal might have given hope that Bellerin might be called up as a replacement, but Carvajal seems likely to recover in time for the finals. Under manager Julen Lopetegui, Spain are currently the fourth favourite to win the cup, sitting behind France at 6/1. They will be up against Iran, Morocco, and European champions, Portugal.
If Gooners had been told there would only be one Arsenal player in Gareth Southgate’s squad, most would have believed it would be Jack Wilshere. But Danny Welbeck is the only Gunner to be called up, although he will find it hard to get much game time given the amount of competition for attacking places and manager Gareth Southgate increasingly preferring to use players like Dele Alli, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling. It was believed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s season-ending injury should have made Wilshere’s selection even more nailed on, given the two can both play in a variety of midfield systems, but Southgate has elected to take a surprise selection in the form of Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The three Lions have always struggled in major tournaments, however, bookmaker William Hill seems to think they have a decent shot this year, and have them 16/1 to win their first cup since 1966. They will face off against Belgium, Tunisia and Panama in Group G.
Three players that should have no problem getting game time in Russia are Alex Iwobi for Nigeria, Mohamed Elneny with Egypt and Granit Xhaka for Switzerland. The trio are all key members of their respective squads and will most likely be starters for their nation’s first game.
The two Gunners most likely to return last before the season kicks off are Ozil and Monreal. If Spain and Germany both reach the semi-finals, neither player would report for duty until the midweek before the Premier League’s opening weekend. The other five Arsenal squad players involved may well be back in training a little earlier, although in the cases of Ospina and Wilshere, there is a chance they might be going to other clubs. Arsenal might also look to unload Shkodran Mustafi unless the head coach can see the possibility of improvement in a player who did pick up a World Cup winner’s medal in Brazil.
Whatever happens, one thing is certain. The World Cup will not be as disruptive to the pre-season as we saw during Arsène Wenger’s tenure.
