Arsenal at the World Cup
Article written by ChiGooner:
The esteemed football writer David Goldblatt wonders in the introduction to his fantastic book, The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football (found here on Amazon), if there is “any cultural practice more global than football? Rites of birth, death, and marriage are universal, but infinite in their diversity. Football is played by the same rules everywhere. No single world religion can match its geographical scope… the use of English and the vocabularies of science and mathematics must run football close for universality, but they remain the lingua francas of the world’s elites. McDonald’s, MTV? Only the most anodyne products of America’s cultural industries can claim a reach as wide as football’s, and then only for a fleeting moment in those parts of the world that can afford them.”
Over the 30 days beginning June 11th, virtually everyone on the planet will either take part in, or at least bear witness to, the single most concentrated and passionate manifestation of this global obsession with football. Football has conquered nearly every society it has come into contact with. Even Australia, China, India, and the USA—the last major holdouts—have now joined the global party. Despite football’s continuous hold over the global imagination, however, there is only one month every four years when the planet’s entire football community focuses its attention on one place and one competition simultaneously. That is during the World Cup.
The Final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup is estimated to have been either watched, listened to, or attended by around 3 billion people. That is nearly half of all humanity. In short, the World Cup is the single largest collective human experience in existence. Football has the power to transform players’ lives, to elate or completely dishearten fans, and to unite or divide nations. Nowhere is this power more visible or potent than at the World Cup.
But enough about the event’s significance. What about the football itself? The teams, the stars, the managers, and of course: the fortunes of that small group of players whose time at the World Cup forms the less important part of their duties as footballers, as a result of their being players for Arsenal Football Club.
The (rather long) short list of favorites includes many traditional powers as well as an array of teams hoping to join the group of seven nations that have already been immortalized in football history by winning the World Cup. Brazil are once again on the minds of many, though they have attained the status of favorites by making use of a style that—despite its prevalence and success in the modern game—seems distinctly out of place when used by the side that embodies the beauty of the “beautiful game”. Many are likewise hoping that the brilliance of Messi will be able to overcome the lunacy of Diego: 53 goals in 47 club matches would ordinarily speak for itself, but not in this case. England are once again seen as favorites by some, and—inevitably—as overhyped [WORD]s by others: can a non-English coach finally settle this debate in favor of the former group? Finally, despite their lack of star power, no one in the know would dare discount Germany or Italy at a major World Cup. When it comes to preparation and determination, these two sides are only paralleled by each other.
The Netherlands are—once again—hoping to extend the world’s most-exclusive club to eight members, but as always have many doubters. The most promising potential newcomers instead hail from Iberia. Spain possess a team so deep that Arsenal’s best player over the last three seasons, and this summer’s most sought-after footballer, Cesc Fabregas, is unlikely to secure a starting place. Some say the Spaniards are shaky at the back, but they are cemented by the solid Barca duo of Puyol and Pique, and could very well have the best depth in goalkeeping ever seen at a World Cup: Victor Valdes—statistically the best keeper in La Liga this season—is third-string, stuck behind Pepe Reina and the indomitable Iker Casillas.
And what of the African teams? This, the first World Cup to be played on their continent, offers a special opportunity, one that will undoubtedly take several decades to present itself again. Recall that Brazil are the only country to win a World Cup away from their home continent (counting Mexico as part of Latin America, and thus ruling out Argentina in 1986). The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon look to have been handed the most manageable draws, while Bafana Bafana hope to avoid becoming the first host nation to fall at the group stage. The Desert Foxes of Algeria are beset by injury and poor form, while the previously-high hopes for Ghana’s Black Stars and Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants have been tempered by injuries to Michael Essien and Didier Drogba, each widely regarded as the best player on his respective team.
Meanwhile, fans of every nation will be hoping that the light of stars such as Messi, Kaka, Ronaldo, Eto’o, and Rooney shine brighter than ever before. Spain are lucky to possess an array of flair players, with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Torres, Villa, and Silva all in one side, while Holland possess Sneijder, Robben, and van Persie.
Speaking of Fabregas and van Persie, how does the tournament look to be shaping up for Arsene’s Army? Let’s begin with Group E, where three of the four teams possess key Gunners. Robin van Persie will likely be the focal point of the Dutch attack, being asked to play a versatile center-forward role, similar to the one he played for Arsenal in the early stages of the most recent campaign. His progression to the next round seems assured, and anything from the quarters to the final itself seems realistic. Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner will also do battle, as both look to snatch second place from the other. Bendtner, who has a similar role with Arsenal as his mentor and senior Van Persie, will also be asked to replicate that role for Denmark, whereas Song—while still playing in the center of the pitch—will be asked to move further up field and play a more creative role than Gooners are used to seeing.
At first glance, Arsenal’s defensive record does not bode well for France, as their squad contains three Arsenal defenders (Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, and Gael Clichy), as well as Abou Diaby, a midfielder who may be asked to take on defensive duties. But if one places the blame for Arsenal’s defensive woes on poor coaching, then France look to have a tighter back line. No one can question the individual talents of Sagna and Gallas, who will likely start. On the other hand, Raymond Domenech is not widely considered to be a very astute manager at the moment either.
As mentioned, the man whose Arsenal shirt says “Fabregas,” but whose Spain shirt says “Cesc,” will play an important, though much less prominent role for his country than for his club. Look for him to be used as an impact sub, or starting in an advanced role if Vicente Del Bosque wishes to play with Torres or (more likely) Villa alone up front. The reverse is true of Arsenal bench warmers Emmanuel Eboue and Carlos Vela, who are likely to be integral pieces of their national sides’ plans. Eboue, a utility man who in a pinch can be used on either midfield flank, or across the back line, will likely start at right back. Vela’s superb technical abilities will be integral to Mexico’s fast-paced attack.
With 10 players in South Africa, Arsenal are tied for third among all clubs, along with Panathinaikos, Real Madrid, and the European champions. The European runners-up have 11, while Chelsea and Liverpool have 12 apiece, and Barcelona (who else?) top the list with a whopping 13.
