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Gunners Stars Who Will Make Their Mark at The World Cup

By on March 6, 2014

It’s fair to say there’s been cautious optimism at the Emirates this season. Some players have finally come good and with 10 games remaining Arsenal are still in contention to lift their first Premier League title in a decade, challenging alongside Chelsea and Manchester City.

But beyond May there’s the summer showdown in Brazil to look forward to and some of Wenger’s men will be key figures for their national sides come June. Well over ten of the Gunners squad could board flights to Rio post-season. Let’s take a look at those stand out stars who will be flying the flag for Arsenal in South America.

Olivier Giroud

Giroud has quickly become a fan favourite on the terraces since joining the club from Montpellier in 2012 and the 27-year-old has been an integral part of the Arsenal attack this season. The Frenchman has scored 14 goals so far and has featured heavily for France under Didier Deschamps in recent internationals.

His most memorable moment for Les Blues came as a late substitute against World and European Champions Spain, scoring a headed goal to equalise in the dying moments in the World Cup qualifier. French fans will be hoping he comes up with the goods once again when they kick off their campaign against Honduras on June 15th.

Mesut Ozil

Ozil hasn’t quite been at his best in the Premier League during the last few months but the midfielder is still an influential figure in world football. The 25-year-old has 53 caps for Germany, scoring 17 goals, and he set up Germany’s winner against Chile last night with a classy assist.

The former Madrid man will undoubtedly be the driving force behind Joachim Low’s side’s attack, alongside Thomas Muller, Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze. Ozil will need to recreate his early season form if his nation are to make it far in South America but Germany are current European favourites and they can be backed at 11/2 with a Betfred free bet to win the tournament.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The Ox appears to be finding form just at the right time and seems like a shoe-in for Roy Hodgson’s final squad -filling the void left by Theo Walcott’s injury. The 20-year-old has done nothing but impress when he’s pulled on the Three Lions jersey and he already has tournament experience after being a surprise selection for the Euro’s in 2012.

It would come as no surprise this time round however, especially with pace being touted as a key advantage in the soaring Brazilian temperatures.

Per Mertesacker

The big German has been a revelation this season after a rocky start to his Arsenal career. The central defender has a wealth of experience at international level and, Liverpool aside, has kept most of the Premier League’s top forwards out this season.

The German attack is littered with star names but every international manager knows that success starts with building a solid foundation at the back; with Mertesacker in front of Manuel Neuer, Joachim Low certainly has that.

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