Arsenal Special: International Break Comes At Wrong Time For Wenger

Arsene Wenger's star-studded Arsenal squad has this week been scattered to all four corners of the world.

Twenty players are away on international duty, visiting such far-flung outposts as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Kazakhstan and Trinidad.

For a manager who has just seen his team reel off six successive victories in all competitions, scoring 18 goals along the way, it is hardly ideal preparation for the next domestic assignment: a home game against Birmingham City on October 17.

No wonder that Arsene Wenger described this international break as 'badly timed'.

But, in typically philosophical fashion, he took comfort from what he has seen from his team so far this season.

"What what has impressed me most is the attitude and the spirit, the quality of our team play and the fact that even when we had disappointing results, like at Manchester United and Manchester City, the quality was still there," he said.

"The resolve in the games afterwards was even stronger. So at the moment it looks good and we are very hopeful for the future."

Needless to say, Wenger hoped also that his 20 men on World Cup and other international duties return unscathed – such is the competitive nature of many of the fixtures, it will be no surprise if a few players return with something worse than mere bruises.
 
The Arsenal players with perhaps the toughest matches are William Gallas, Carlos Vela, Andrey Arshavin and Alex Song.

Gallas is not the only Gallic Gunner, of course. With France yet to seal qualification for next summer's World Cup finals, he, Gael Clichy, Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna face crucial World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Austria.

Vela faces tough World Cup ties for Mexico against El Salvador at home and Trinidad and Tobago away. A win and a draw for the Mexicans will see them through to South Africa next summer.

Russian with love | Arshavin ready for German showdown

Arshavin, the joker in Wenger's pack but a serious captain for Russia, carries the responsibility for fulfilling the dreams of 100 million compatriots when his national team meet Germany on Saturday in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

It is a contest to savor, arguably the outstanding fixture in this round of qualifying games – and Arshavin is ready for it.

"During our game against England there, I experienced the best atmosphere in a stadium that I have known in my life," he said. "The second best was when Zenit beat Rangers in the UEFA Cup final.

"So I think that if we could repeat that feeling in the ground, then we have a chance to beat them. We have a good team. We have the experience of the European finals in 2008. And we have players who know now how to win."

A win would take Russia top of their group and within reach of South Africa, but the self-effacing Arshavin is not prepared to look any further ahead than this match. "It is not easy, it is difficult, but it is the kind of big match we all love to play," he said.

Song is in a similar position, knowing that if his Cameroon team can contain former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo in Yaounde, they will "have one foot in South Africa".

The equation is simple: if Morocco win in Gabon, victory for Cameroon against Togo will see them qualify.

"We are playing well and I think we can win," Song said. "But we know we have to stop 'Ade' [Adebayor]…  We have the players. In Africa now, the players are stronger and stronger. We have players who are in Europe, in England, Italy, France and Germany – they know things and have good experience from their leagues and the Champions League.

"So, we can go through. But we have to concentrate and it will be difficult. And, of course, if we do go through we have a chance to win. It is a big challenge, but this World Cup will be played in South Africa, on African soil, and there is no reason why an African team cannot win it. Yes, we can do it, I say."

It is a sentiment that many at Arsenal will share, but when they return from their travels, not all of the 20 travelers will come home happy.

Tim Collings, Goal.com