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Which Arsenal Star Will Fare Best In Brazil?

By on May 14, 2014

The Gunners are going to be well presented at the 2014 World Cup with 11 players heading across the Atlantic to ply their trade for seven different nations and there are plenty of World Cup betting markets involving Arsenal players. Easyodds.com football writer Tom Powell takes a look at the chances of success for the travelling Gunners and their nations…

France to Banish the 2010 Blues?

Les Bleus didn’t even manage a win in South Africa four years ago but after a decent Euro 2012 and now under new management they look good value to go far in Brazil, especially after being drawn in a favourable group.

Four years ago Arsenal provided five players to Raymond Domenech’s squad though this year Didier Deschamps has taken just three Gunners though fans will probably have enjoyed the omission of former players Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy from this year’s party.

At the back Laurent Koscielny is expected to be a guaranteed starter and why not after his exploits in the Premier League this season. The possibly departing Bacary Sagna should also take his place in the starting XI for the opener against Honduras but a place in the starting eleven is not as much of a guarantee for 16 goal frontman Olivier Giroud who has to fight off Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema who the bookmakers make favourite at 7/4 to top score for France with Giroud as big a price as 5/1.

I expect France to go far and suggest odds of 10/1 on them being the World Cup’s top European team is good value.

Young Guns to Play a Part in England’s Group D Battle

I don’t have high expectations for England over in Brazil with the conditions and an extremely tough group a huge barrier between them and the last 16.

In South Africa the Three Lions had no representation from Arsenal but this year two Gunners have found their way onto the plane though the betting suggests they’ll do well to earn a place in England’s starting XI for the opener against Italy. Jack Wilshere is even money to line up against the Azzurri on June 14th but crucially that’s a bigger price than Liverpool pair Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the other hand is 9/4 to start the opening match with Welbeck, Milner, Lallana, Sturridge and Sterling all more likely to take to the pitch according to the bookmakers.

England will be up against it in Brazil and a group stage elimination looks the value bet at a best price 13/10.

An Arsenal Inspired Spine to Boost Low’s Side

Along with France, Arsenal players feature in the German squad more than any other nation with Gunners available for Joachim Low’s side up and down the field. At the back Per Mertesacker has a guaranteed place in the starting XI after featuring in eight of Germany’s 10 qualifying matches and helping his side to five clean sheets.

In the middle Mesut Ozil will be looking to put a difficult first season at the Emirates behind him and the bookmakers fancy his chances to have a good tournament with the attacking midfielder fifth favourite to win the Golden Ball (player of the tournament).

Lastly, Lukas Podolski may have to bide his time to get onto the pitch with Germany having a huge array of attacking talent in his position and that is highlighted by his huge 16/1 odds to be Germany’s top scorer, behind seven other players in the pecking order.

Germany to finish top of Group G at a best price 4/7 looks a banker.

And the rest…

That leaves four more Gunners who have joined up with their respective squads though they are almost guaranteed to experience contrasting fortunes.

Santi Carzorla is the sole Spanish representative for Arsenal though like some aforementioned players he may not get regular game time over in Brazil with the likes of David Silva, Pedro, Koke, Fabregas, Mata and Navas all vying for two, possibly three places in the Spanish midefield (two will surely be occupied by Iniesta and Xavi). Spain are 7/1 to win the World Cup and that looks a touch of value.

Thomas Vermaelen is also another Gunner who may not be guaranteed a starting berth given Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen and Daniel Van Buyten will all be pushing for a place at centre back for Belgium. Much is expected of Belgium though 20/1 on them winning is a crazy price while a quarter-final elimination (7/2) is a more likely outcome.

That leaves two more players who may have slipped under the radar. Joel Campbell, who spent last season on loan at Olympiacos, will feature heavily for Costa Rica (who face England) and looks good value to top score for his nation at 10/1. The tricky left footed forward netted eight times for his side last season and is sure to have a decent future in Arsenal colours.

Someone with less of a future but a Gunner still nonetheless is Park Chu-Young who spent last season on loan at Watford from January onwards, though unsurprisingly he played just twice and found the net…zero times. He’s in the South Korea squad and they look good value to be the top Asian side over in Brazil at 2/1.

You can get all the best World Cup odds for every single match and outright market plus exclusive World Cup tips at Easyodds.com.