The World Cup is fast approaching and Arsenal players have joined their national teams to prepare for the tournament by playing a few friendly games before heading to Rio.
Arsenal have 12 players in total that are taking to the pitch for their country this summer in what is shaping up to be an exciting tournament. They have Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain heading off with England, Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud with France, Santi Cazorla with Spain, Thomas Vermaelen with Belgium and Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski with Germany.
Without further ado, these are the top 5 players who I think will shine at this year’s World Cup:
5. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The Ox has had a mixed season at Arsenal due to injury, but when he is fit he is easily one of our best players. There is no denying that when he plays he gives his all in every game and he genuinely loves football. Hodgson seems to like Oxlade-Chamberlain, so I think he will get a few games during the World Cup. His form for England has been consistent on all levels and he isn’t afraid to get stuck in, which makes him a good player to have in the team.
4. Olivier Giroud
You know how you sometimes get a player that plays so much better for his country than his club? Well, that is Giroud. He has scored some great goals and given outstanding performances. It’s frustrating when that isn’t translated into his club football. Giroud has had a good season though. He might not have knocked 30 goals in but he improved on his tally from last year and has contributed more in terms of on the pitch play. He has already impressed in a pre-tournament friendly against Norway last week scoring a stunning goal* and Deschamps definitely seems to favour him more than Benzema.
*http://youtu.be/hT9ib5DbGYo
3. Per Mertesacker
Mertesacker has just finished his best season at Arsenal since he joined the club and he was the unsung hero of the team. He provided some fantastic defensive performances throughout the year and seeing the solidity of his pairing with Koscielny develop, has been great to observe. Mertesacker isn’t as fast as other centre backs, but he more than makes up for that with his interceptions, blocking and ability to read what the opposition are going to do next. He has bundles of experience and that is something the German team will value in what might be Mertesacker’s last World Cup.
2. Lukas Podolski
Podolski has had scored some amazing goals for Arsenal this season, especially that brace in the FA cup game against Coventry City. His form has improved even after his injury and he looks more comfortable and settled. With Klose Germany’s only recognised out and out striker it is looking likely that Podolski will feature in a lot more of their games than usual, as he often proves to be indispensable to them.
1. Mesut Ozil
After a successful debut season at Arsenal which led to Ozil winning a FA Cup medal, all eyes will be on the German Midfielder this summer as he takes his place in a Germany team full of talent. Ozil is a regular in the Germany team and has a great little partnership going with Goetze. They both thrive off each others talent and their link up play is classy and clinical. He is going to be exciting to watch this summer, alongside our other German counterparts.
These were the obvious choices to me. I really struggled to not put Koscielny and Wilshere into my list, as both will feature during the tournament, as will Vermaelen for Belgium but I think our German players are the most likely to stand out and shine this summer.
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