Arsène Wenger is entitled to feel more than a little proud that Arsenal, along with Chelsea, were the best-represented club at the 2006 World Cup. The two London teams each sent sixteen players to the tournament (although given the impact made by Theo Walcott and Frank Lampard, perhaps fifteen might be more accurate). Unsurprisingly, Chelsea's contingent was bolstered by two big-money (or, if we're feeling uncharitable, rather vulgar) summer signings: Michael Ballack and Andrei Shevchenko. Wenger's dealings in the transfer market are a little more refined, of course. Further evidence of his acumen came in the form of three teenage Gunners – Walcott, Johan Djorou and the incomparable Francesc Fabregas – and several more in their early twenties who were called up by their respective countries.

While the totemic players from other top English clubs – Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, the aforementioned Fat Frank of Chelsea, and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney – were scuffing penalties, slashing wildly at volleys from six yards out and stamping on testicles, there were, at least, some stirring moments from Arsenal’s representatives. Here, in chronological order, are six of the best.

Tomas Rosicky (Czech Republic v USA): Robert Pires and Alexander Hleb took time to settle and even Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry needed a few months to fully convince the Arsenal supporters of their quality. Tomas Rosicky, however, didn't even bother to wait for his club debut. 'Little Mozart' scored two sensational goals in his side's group match against the USA and, but for the crossbar, would have claimed a hat-trick so spectacular that it would have seemed incredible in Roy of the Rovers. Those loafers, shirkers and professional layabouts lucky enough to catch Rosicky's performance on a Monday afternoon may well have recalled a peerless piece of commentary from Alan Partridge on The Day Today: "Sh*t! Did you see that? He must have a foot like a bloody traction engine!"

Robin van Persie (Holland v Ivory Coast): Training ground bust-ups are as important to Dutch national identity as cycling and sticking fingers in dykes, so their campaign naturally began with a front three – Robben, Van Nistelrooy and RVP – who were apparently not on speaking terms. No doubt related to this, the trio seemed reluctant to pass to each other. It was perhaps unsurprising, then, that Robin's only goal came from a rip-snorting direct free-kick against Ivory Coast. More surprising was the fact that in Holland's ill-tempered second round clash with Portugal (just the sixteen yellow cards and four reds), the Rotterdam scrapper escaped even a talking to from the referee.

Francesc Fabregas (Spain v Tunisia): With the illustrious Spanish midfield of Xavi and Xavi Alonso struggling to get a foothold in the game against Tunisia, Cesc was brought on at half-time. Forty-five minutes later, the boy had guided Spain to a 3-1 win with a midfield performance of energetic but cultured brilliance. His shot was palmed out for Raul to tap in and an incisive slide-rule pass set up Fernando Torres' goal, but it was the manner in which he single-handedly changed the match that really grabbed the attention. Not only is he always available to receive the ball, he invariably uses it wisely. His awareness is extraordinary. According to my brother (who is not, it should be stressed, a medical professional), "In five years' time Cesc is gonna have a neck like Arnold Schwarzenegger's, 'cause he spends the whole game looking around, thinking about the next pass". Cesc is a smart young man, too. It was inevitable, given his performances for Spain, that Real Madrid would come a calling. But at time of writing he seems content to shun the galacticos’ travelling freak show and stay at a proper football club that doesn't change its manager every six months.

Philippe Senderos (Switzerland v South Korea): The young Swiss centre-back was hugely impressive, although his country somehow conspired to go out in the second round without conceding a goal in the tournament. In the first group game against France, Senderos executed a superb last-ditch tackle on ex-Gunner Sylvain Wiltord, as well as snuffing out the threat of his current team-mate, Thierry Henry. His determination was epitomised by a crashing header against South Korea, which saw him bust his nose against the head of a hapless Korean defender. Phillippe has often been touted as heir to Tony Adams at Arsenal, but this goal was more reminiscent of a patched-up Andy Linighan's heroics in the 1993 Cup final. Here's hoping he can return from his dislocated shoulder injury quickly. With Sol Campbell's departure, Senderos will be even more important to the first team in 2006-07.

Jens Lehmann (Germany v Argentina): Jens' magnificent form continued throughout the World Cup. His combination of arrogance and unflappability marked him out as one of the best keepers on show. Lesser men might have crumbled at the indignity of conceding two goals to Paulo Wanchope in the first game, but not Jens. Even the trauma of being embraced before the penalty shoot-out against Argentina by the albino gorilla Oliver Kahn couldn't put the Arsenal man off his game. With Villarreal's choker Juan Roman Riquelme substituted and thus able to duck a rematch from 12 yards with Lehmann, it was the turn of Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso to be denied by the coolest man in Germany. A nation went berserk, while Jens nonchalantly wagged his forefinger to remind us – as if it was necessary – who is number one.

Thierry Henry (France v Brazil): It didn't end as he'd hoped, of course, but it was still fitting that the last Gooner left in the tournament should be our captain. In the quarter-final against Brazil, with one coolly-taken volley into the roof of Dida's net, Thierry shrugged off the ludicrous theory that he is not a big-game player. The media debate about why he isn't as effective for France as he is for Arsenal is easily resolved. Arsenal don't play the ball to him when he's got three defenders on his back and his nearest team-mate is forty yards away. Arsenal counter-attacks are led by whippets like Reyes, Ljungberg and Hleb, not the loping Zidane or Makelele. And – there’s no place for false modesty here – we've simply got better players than France. It’s often said that football is a cruel game and it's been a complete bitch to Titi in the last three months. Hopefully the double disappointment of Champions League and World Cup final defeats will make him even more eager to succeed. If so, France's misfortune could be a real boon for Arsenal.