Plenty of interest in international weekend, with lots of Arsenal players in action, in no particular order:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was left on the bench for England, despite his recent scintillating form for Arsenal, but scored as soon as he came on. Scotland turned it around and went 2-1 up with two amazing free kicks before Harry Kane broke the Scots hearts with a late equaliser.
Mustafi played and scored for Germany as they mullered San Marino 7-0, while Alex Iwobi’s Nigeria crashed to a 2-0 defeat against South Africa, and was subbed on the hour.
Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud both played for Frances as they went down 2-1 in a shock defeat by Sweden. Giroud scored a screamer to put France ahead, but like all bad dog walkers, they couldn’t hold on to the lead. Spurs’ Hugo Lloris made an absolute howler in the last minute to allow Sweden to take all three points – oops!
Like Giroud, Granit Xhaka was also on the scoresheet with a goal for Switzerland against the Faroe Islands, the Swiss winning the game by just 2-0, which is pretty much a win for the plucky Faroe Islanders.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles came on for the England Under 20s as they won the World Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over Venezuela in Korea The Arsenal man successfully defending for his life to protect England’s lead in the dying minutes to see out the game.
Aaron Ramsey scored a cheeky Panenka penalty to put Wales ahead, only for the Bale-less Wales to concede a late equaliser in Serbia to draw 1-1. He also had a late chance to win it for Wales, but saw his shot saved.
Alexis Sánchez assisted for Chile against Russia straight after coming on as sub, and Nacho Monreal was an unused sub for Spain.
So all in all a very busy, and fruitful weekend for our travelling Gooners, and a goalkeeping blunder from Lloris putting an interlull cherry on the close season cake.
