If you’re a complete football fanatic like me, you’ll be looking forward to the European Championships which are just a week away from kick off. With no England (who failed to qualify under former coach Steve McClaren), many supporters are choosing their own team to support during this inaugural tournament which has been built up for almost a month now.
Gooner Talk will bring you all the scores, results and even reports from the Arsenal players in action for their countries as soon as the tournament starts on June 7th.
But before that, we’ll take you through the players who have been picked for their countries as Europe’s finest coaches trim their squads down to 23 men ahead of the Championships.
France: William Gallas and Samir Nasri
Gunners captain William Gallas and new-boy Samir Nasri have both been selected in Raymond Domenech’s 23-man squad for the European Championships. The latters signing is yet to be confirmed, but with both Wenger and Marseille chairman Diouf saying the move is almost complete, the transfer looks very likely. This is William’s second tournament while Nasri makes his debut in the competition.
Netherlands: Robin van Persie
Injury prone Dutchman Robin van Persie has been passed fit for Euro 2008 and is set to make his debut in the competition. The free kick specialist has been missing for large chunks of last season due to an ongoing thigh injury. And the Dutch will welcome him back with open arms as they look for a repeat of the European Championship winning season from 88′.
Poland: Lukasz Fabianski
Poland’s no 3. Fabianski is unlikely to get much playing time under coach Leo Beenhakker during the Championships. This is mainly due to the fact that both Celtic’s Artur Boruc and Manchester United’s Tomas Kuszczak are well ahead of him in the pecking ranks. Nevertheless, Lukasz is expected to get at least a game under his belt as the Pole is another one of many Arsenal star’s making his debut in the tournament.
Spain: Cesc Fabregas
Cesc has the world at his feet at the age of just 21 years. The Spaniard is one of the bright sparks to come out of another trophy-less season for Arséne Wenger’s side, while Spain coach Luis Aragones looks set to hand Fabregas plenty of match practice during the competition. Big team news for Spain is that Real Madrid captain Raul is missing from the 23-man squad, the 31-year-old hasn’t play for his country since September 2006.
Switzerland: Johan Djourou and Phillipe Senderos
Finally, Arsenal duo Johan Djourou and Philippe Senderos have both been named in Switzerland’s final Euro 2008 squad. Senderos has had an on, off season at Arsenal while Djourou has had limited playing time due to a leg injury hampering his season. Both players are likely to start each game for the Swiss as the hosts play Liechenstein in their final warm-up match on Friday.
We have not included Jens Lehmann in our Euro 08 Squad Watch due to the fact that the German no 1. is a free agent on July 1st.
Tags: Djourou, euro 2008, Fabianski, Fabregas, Gallas, nasri, Senderos, van Persie
May 28, 2008 at 6:11 pm
it’s a lot fewer than normal – and I think that’s a good thing so players aren’t as tired next season. Do you know how this compares to Liverpool/Man U/Chelsea?
May 28, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Liverpool = 4 players
Man Utd = 4 players
Chelsea = 7 players
So us and Chelsea have the most player going off to the tournament.
May 28, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Djourou isn’t expected to start much for Switzerland is he? The Lyon defender Kallstrom has recovered from an injury and it looks like he’s gonna start.
Eduardo would be in there if he weren’t injured, Clichy and Sagna should also be there. Surprising that Flamini didn’t make the France squad and Trezeguet didn’t even make the 30 while Anelka made the final 23.
May 28, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Kallstrom is Swedish…
Clichy and Sagna not being there is only a bonus for us, they’ll both be fit and ready for pre-season.
May 28, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I would say only Fabregas, Gallas, Van Persie and Nasri are 1st choice players for next season so there the ones we should be hoping dont get injured not that I want Senderos, Djourou and Fabianski to get injured though.
May 28, 2008 at 7:10 pm
We just wait for Samir. I am very sceptic…
May 28, 2008 at 7:27 pm
As regards players coming back refreshed, certain players like vP, Senderos, Djourou and Fabianski really don’t need a break. The games will – barring injuries – do them good.
May 28, 2008 at 7:32 pm
surprised about sagna being left out
May 28, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Agreed Tom.
May 28, 2008 at 8:26 pm
go france nasri ownes
May 28, 2008 at 8:35 pm
yep
May 28, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Do they never learn with RvP?
May 28, 2008 at 8:47 pm
@ Jimbo
Kallstrom is Swedish !! how can he effect Djourou’s place in Swiss line-up ?????
May 28, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Defenders: Philipp Degen (Borussia Dortmund), Johan Djourou (Arsenal), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lille), Ludovic Magnin (Stuttgart), Patrick Mueller (Lyon), Philippe Senderos (Arsenal), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt)
May 28, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I think you meant Muller mate.
Whens the article on the meeting with PSG mate? Anything to do with Chantome?
May 28, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I found out that was just a friendly dinner with some of Wengers friends, nothing to do with Chantome at all.
May 28, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Ok cheers mate was just wondering
May 28, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Doubt Chantome will come, my French mate rates him as an average midfield player who doesn’t have the work ethic or class to replace Flamini.
May 28, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I don’t think you need class to replace Flam just a lot of work ethic and a good tackler. Hows this?
v.Persie-Adebayor-Walcott — (4-1-2-3)
—–Nasri—-Fabregas—-
———Signing———
Clichy-Kompany-Toure-Sagna
——–Alminia———
Starting line up next year? Could easily change to 4-4-2 with Theo dropping to right
May 28, 2008 at 9:40 pm
For thr 4-4-2 Theo would go right and Nasri left or even Robin could go left and Nasri right leaving Fab in the middle with a DM behind him
May 28, 2008 at 10:23 pm
why kompany instead of gallas gallas is much better than kompany
May 28, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Gallas wont stay if he aint captain next season and hes not good enough to be our captain, hes nearly 31 anyway he will need to be replaced soon
May 28, 2008 at 10:50 pm
And also because he is tall, we have had problems with the long ball
May 28, 2008 at 10:56 pm
why is he gonna be changed as captain?if you ask me cesc is not a captain material it will take something away from his game stick with gallas hes only had the job 1 year.
May 28, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Give Billy another year with the armband, and if he shows any of his antics like he did at Brum then I think we have to rid him of the armband tbh.
May 28, 2008 at 11:59 pm
If we bought Per Mertesacker then by gum our defence would be much better at dealing with long balls and what not.
Is there a possability Wenger could go for him? I mean Kompany is a bit injury prone so i hear. Ah Arsene will do the business this summer i’m a believer.
May 30, 2008 at 4:50 pm
[...] any more interesting as the rumours seemed to have reduced for certain unknown reasons. Maybe the European Championships are around the corner and thus all the media focus are now on Switzerland and Austria and the teams [...]