International watch: France debut for Clichy
There were nine non-English Gunners on show for their respective countries on Wednesday night. Arsenal.com brings you a comprehensive round-up of how they faired…
Player Profile - Gael ClichyFrance
Gael Clichy, William Gallas, Bacary Sagna
France 2-1 Serbia
Gael Clichy made his long-awaited debut for France last night as they overcame Serbia 2-1 at the Stade de France. Clichy lined up alongside both William Gallas and Bacary Sagna in defence, clearly Raymond Domenech has taken note of the Gunners’ four clean sheets already this season. At the other end, it was two ex-Arsenal men who did the damage. Thierry Henry opened the scoring after 54 minutes and Nicolas Anelka hit what proved to be the winner 10 minutes later.
Player Profile - Cesc FabregasSpain
Cesc Fabregas
Spain 4-0 Armenia
Cesc Fabregas was introduced late on as Spain ran riot against Armenia. It took just seven minutes for Spain to take the lead, Juan Capdevilla finishing neatly after being released by Andres Iniesta. David Villa struck either side of half-time before Marcos Senna wrapped things up with a 25-yard piledriver. Spain’s two successive victories puts them at the top of Group Five.
Player Profile - Robin van PersieHolland
Robin van Persie
Macedonia FYR 1-2 Holland
Holland put the dissapointment of their friendly defeat to Australia behind them with a hard-fought victory in Skopje. Second half goals from John Heitinga and Rafael van der Vaart ensured the Dutch qualifying campaign got off to the best possible start. Robin van Persie was withdrawn after 69 minutes of the match after tirelessly leading the line for the visitors.
Player Profile - Nicklas BendtnerDenmark
Nicklas Bendtner
Portugal 2-3 Denmark
Nicklas Bendtner was amongst the goals as Denmark managed a dramatic late victory in Lisbon. In undoubtedly Denmark’s toughest test in Group One, the visitors struck twice in stoppage time to ensure all three points went back to Denmark. When Bendtner leveled the game at 1-1 on 84 minutes it looked like the visitors had earned an unlikely point. A penalty from Deco two minutes later swung the game back in favour of the home side but Christian Poulsen and Daniel Jensen struck in stoppage time to hand Denmark the victory.
Player Profile - Johan DjourouSwitzerland
Johan Djourou
Switzerland 1-2 Luxembourg
Johan Djourou completed 90 minutes as Switzerland were shocked at home by Luxembourg. In the qualifiers for World Cup 2006, Luxembourg didn’t even register a point shipping 48 goals in the process, but secured this unlikely win with a Fons Leweck strike four minutes from time. It was the first home competitive fixture for new coach Ottmar Hitzfeld whose side now lie second bottom of Group Two.
Player Profile - Lukasz FabianskiPoland
Lukasz Fabianski
San Marino 0-2 Poland
Poland owed a lot to their Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski as they struggled to victory over San Marino. The hosts, who are ranked 70 places below Poland, were awarded a penalty after three minutes. Captain Andy Selva’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Fabianski who was starting his second successive fixture for his country. The visitors struck either side of half time to see Poland top of the group but they’ll have to improve on what was a lacklustre performance if they are to qualify.
Player Profile - Carlos VelaMexico
Carlos Vela
Mexico 2-1 Canada
Carlos Vela played 70 minutes for Mexico as they dispatched Canada to maintain Sven-Goran Erkisson’s 100% record in charge of Mexico. Omar Bravo and Rafael Marquez struck in the second half for the hosts who conceded a 77th minute Ali Gerba consolation. The game will be remembered as Mexican legend Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s last. The striker came on in the last minute to make his 100th appearance for his country before announcing his retirement shortly after the match.
