Pre-season in Austria

I haven't yet written about any pre-season game, and that's simply because I haven't watched the games, only seen the goals on youtube later on, but we have had some really good results so I thought that I could write them down;

I haven't written about the first pre-season game against Barnet, so even though it obviously didn't take place in Austria I will put it in;

Arsenal 4 - Barnet 0
Arshavin 2,
Simpson 16, 45,
Nasri 75

Arsenal 3 - SK Sturm Graz 0
Nasri 16, 43,
Lansbury 57

Arsenal 4 - SC Neusiedl 1919 0
Walcott 28,
Emmanuel-Thomas 30,
Chamakh 51 (pen),
Vela 65

Now the team is heading back to London to play in the Emirates Cup this weekend, hopefully I'll be able to see at least one game then.

World Cup Final

Netherlands vs. Spain

0-0 (extra time: 0-1)

Andres Iniesta scored the winner in the 116th minute and made Spain world champions! But even better is that Cesc provided the assist!

Fabregas started on the bench and was introduced in the 87th minute, he was completely superb from the second he cameon, he created lots of chances bothfor himself and the others, he had a one-on-one chance early in the extra time, but his shot was met by Stekelenburg's leg, and a little while later he made a run through basically the entire Dutch squad, but his shot was a yard too wide.

Cesc definitely was an influential sub, but he has hardly been given any time at all to play in this tournament, not a single start, you can hardly believe that a player like Cesc Fabregas wasn't allowed to start a single game this world cup, but he certainly has given Del Bosque something to think about after this final.

Robin started the game for the Dutch, but it looked pretty much like it has the entire tournament, he hasn't been given many passes and in general he has been waving for the ball more than touching it. For me, it has been too much Sneijder and Robben and too little van Persie.

But in the end I'm very pleased for Cesc to win the world cup and having a big part in the winning goal!

PS. have been away a lot lately so haven't been able to write during the entire world cup!

World Cup; Day 12

France - South Africa
1-2
Mexico vs. Uruguay
0-1

All four Arsenal player started the game for France since Domenech made six changes since the last game, probably due to the fights and stuff that has surrounded France's training camp.
But France played really poorly and it was just dreadful to watch to be honest.

Vela picked up a hamstring injury in the last game for Mexico, so he had to watch from the sidelines as Uruguay won against his Mexico, but due to the result in the France - South Africa game both Uruguay and Mexico qualified to the next round.

South Africa missed out on goal difference and France finished last in their group after picking up just one point and scoring once.
Hopefully Vela will be fit for the next round, since Mexico finished second they will most likely face Argentina in the next round.

World Cup; Day 11

Spain vs. Honduras

2-0

Cesc didn't get to start this game either, really disappointing of course, but he came on as a substitute with 25 minutes to go, and at once he almost made it 3-0, when he rounded the goalkeeper, but the shot was cleared just before the line by a defender.

Villa scored both goals for Spain, two amazing shots, and he missed a penalty in the game, but overall it feels like Spain is back on track in this competition.

World Cup; Day 10

Brazil vs. Ivory Coast

3-1

Eboue started the game but otherwise there isn't too much to mention about the game, Brazil were dominant and scored some great goals, even though Fabiano's second in the game should have been disallowed, since Fabiano used his hands twice in the build-up to the goal.

Later on in the second half Eboue was substituted, since Ivory Coast obviously needed to score.

World Cup; Day 9

Netherlands vs. Japan

1-0

Van Persie started the game for the Netherlands, and played a big part in their goal, he simply just played the ball back to Sneijder to shoot, and the ball went straight for goal.

He was substituted late on in the game, probably just to make time pass or something like that.

Denmark vs. Cameroon

2-1

A really exciting game, with tons of chances! (due to lots of individual mistakes though).

Both Bendtner and Song started the game, and they both did extremely well, but there could only be one winner, and now Cameroon has no chance to get through the group stage.

Bendtner has had some problem with his groin, but he started this game as well, and played the entire 90 minutes, and what a performance!

Cameroon took the lead when Poulsen played a completely insane ball and Eto'o could easily score.

But Denmark responded when Bendtner slammed in a cross from the right, and after half time Denmark took the lead through Rommedahl, after an amazing cross by Bendtner.

This game was to me by far the best game so far in this World Cup, three goals and tons of chances provided a very exciting game.

World Cup; Day 7

Mexico vs. France

2-0

A total of four gunners were included in this match, Vela representing Mexico while Diaby, Sagna and Gallas started the game for France.

The game in itself didn't provide too much action, although France played much better than they did against France and Mexico provided some really entertaining football, there weren't too many clear chances.

Vela got injured in the 31st minute and had to be replaced, really disappointing as he played really well, but hopefully it was nothing serious, he's already had his fair share of injury problems this season, and it would be awful for him to miss the rest of this world cup.

Diaby was given a place in the starting XI once again for France, and once again he did really well in the midfield, and as a result of that he got to play the entire game !

But France were really poor on the offensive side, they only had some half-chances and never looked too close to scoring.

Mexico's first goal came when Hernandez (hate the fact that he of all people had to score, since he just signed for United and dad couldn't stop talking about the 'amazing' Hernandez after that and that the manager now would have 'no choice' but to let Hernandez play instead of Vela in the next game) went completely alone with the 'keeper and easily scored, replays shows that he was offside though.

Later on in the second half Mexico extended their lead as Vela's replacement Pablo Barrera ran into the box and was brought down by Abidal, a crystal clear penalty that Blanco dispatched.

France had nothing to reply to that, Domenech didn't even use his last substitution, disappointment for Henry as he remained on the bench.