Mixed fortunes for Arsenal's internationals
A host of Arsenal players are away on international duty, swapping their usual shirts for those of their respective countries.
Arsenal.com will bring you all the news of how they got on, starting with a run down of last weekend's World Cup qualifiers.
Player Profile - Emmanuel AdebayorTogo
Emmanuel Adebayor
Togo 1-0 Swaziland, October 11th.
Emmanuel Adebayor returned to international duty in style, scoring four goals as Togo beat Swaziland in their latest World Cup qualifier. There were doubts over the Arsenal striker's participation in Accra but, to Swaziland's disappointment, Adebayor was there and in top form. Salifou Moustapha had given Togo a 16th-minute lead before Adebayor struck just before the half-hour mark. Olufade Akekami netted on the stroke of half-time before Adebayor ran riot in the second half, scoring after 46, 71 and 85 minutes.
Player Profile - Theo WalcottEngland
Theo Walcott
England 5-1 Kazakhstan, Saturday 11th, Belarus v England, October 15th.
Theo Walcott started for England as Fabio Capello's team maintained their 100 per cent start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. After a frustrating first half Rio Ferdinand broke the deadlock with a header and Alexandr Kuchma's own goal gave the Three Lions some breathing space. A mistake from Ashley Cole let in Zhambyl Kukeyev but England responded with three goals in the last 13 minutes from Wayne Rooney (2) and Jermain Defoe. Walcott caused plenty of problems in the first 25 minutes but faded slightly and was replaced by David Beckham with 11 minutes remaining.
Player Profile - Gael ClichyFrance
Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri (stand-by)
Romania 2-2 France, October 11th, France v Tunisia, October 14th.
Bacary Sagna played a full 90 minutes as France fought back to rescue a point in Romania. Les Bleus were reeling when Florentin Petre and Dorin Goian put the hosts two up inside 17 minutes but Frank Ribery reduced the deficit before half-time and Yoann Gourcuff equalised with 21 minutes left. France sit fourth in their qualifying group, two points behind co-leaders Serbia and Lithuania. William Gallas missed Saturday's game with an injury while Gael Clichy was not involved.
Player Profile - Cesc FabregasSpain
Cesc Fabregas
Estonia 0-3 Spain, October 11th, Belgium v Spain, October 14th.
Cesc Fabregas came off the bench for the final 20 minutes as Spain continued their flying start to World Cup qualification. The European champions top Group Five with maximum points from three games after Juanito, David Villa and Carles Puyol saw off Estonia. Spain have yet to concede but face a tricky trip to Belgium in midweek.
Player Profile - Kolo ToureIvory Coast
Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue
Ivory Coast 3-0 Madagascar, October 11th.
Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue both started as Ivory Coast strengthened their grip on their preliminary qualifying group with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Madagascar. Boubacar Sanogo's double put the Elephants in charge before the hour mark and Salomon Kalou sealed the points in the 66th minute. Eboue was replaced after 63 minutes and Toure was substituted nine minutes later.
Player Profile - Robin van PersieHolland
Robin van Persie
Netherlands 2-0 Iceland, October 11th, Norway v Netherlands, October 15th.
Robin van Persie missed Holland's comfortable win over Iceland after picking up an injury in training. The Dutch shrugged off the loss of the Arsenal forward thanks to a goal in either half from Joris Mathijsen and Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Holland top Group Nine with two wins out of two. Scotland are two points adrift in second place but have played a game more.
Player Profile - Carlos VelaMexico
Carlos Vela
Jamaica 1-0 Mexico, October 11th, Canada v Mexico, October 15th.
Carlos Vela played a full 90 minutes but could not stop Mexico suffering a setback in their bid to qualify from the North, Central America and Caribbean section. The Arsenal man picked up a yellow card as Ricardo Fuller scored the only goal of the game for Jamaica. Mexico are still well-placed to reach the World Cup Finals; only goal difference separates them from preliminary group leaders Honduras.
Player Profile - Alexandre SongCameroon
Alex Song
Cameroon 5-0 Mauritius, October 11th.
Alex Song was not involved as Cameroon opened up a seven-point lead at the top of their preliminary group with a 5-0 win over Mauritius. Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring in the 26th minute and added a second from the penalty spot two minutes after the break. Albert Meyong Ze also netted a brace either side of Jean Makoun's 71st-minute strike.
Player Profile - Johan DjourouSwitzerland
Johan Djourou
Switzerland 2-1 Latvia, October 11th, Greece v Switzerland, October 15th.
Johan Djourou played the first half as Switzerland got their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a 2-1 win against Latvia. The Arsenal defender was replaced by Mario Eggiman at the break with the game goalless. Switzerland made the breakthrough just after the hour mark thanks to captain Alexander Frei and, although Deniss Ivanovs grabbed an equaliser, Blaise N'KUfo scored the winner with 17 minutes left. Despite their win, Switzerland still trail group leaders Greece by five points after three matches.
Player Profile - Lukasz FabianskiPoland
Lukasz Fabianski
Poland 2-1 Czech Republic, October 11th, Slovakia v Poland, October 15th.
Lukasz Fabianski was an unused substitute as Poland went top of Group Three with an impressive 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. Pawel Brozek and Jakub Blaszczykowski scored either side of half-time to put the Poles in charge and, although Martin Fenin struck three minutes from time, Fabianski's team held on. They are ahead of Slovenia on goal difference after picking up seven points from three games.
Player Profile - Nicklas BendtnerDenmark
Nicklas Bendtner
Denmark 3-0 Malta, October 11th.
Nicklas Bendtner was not involved as Denmark opened up a two-point lead at the top of Group One. Soren Larsen fired the Danes ahead against Malta and added his second and Denmark's third a couple of minutes into the second half. Liverpool defender Daniel Agger converted a first-half penalty as Denmark maintained their unbeaten start to the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Player Profile - Aaron RamseyWales
Aaron Ramsey
Wales U21 2-3 England U21, October 10th, England U21 v Wales U21, October 14th.
Aaron Ramsey set up two goals for Simon Church to keep Wales in contention for a place at the European Under-21 Championships next summer. David Wheater, Adam Johnson and Gabriel Agbonlahor gave England a 3-2 win in the first leg of their play-off but the Arsenal youngster caused Stuart Pearce's problems throughout. Ramsey and Wales will look to overturn the deficit in the second leg at Villa Park on Tuesday.
Player Profile - Wojciech SzczesnyPoland
Wojciech Szczesny
Under-19s European Championships October 12th-26th.
The 18-year-old goalkeeper will join up with his Polish team-mates as they compete in the Under-19s European Championship in Sarajevo.
