Abou Diaby... In the France squad for their two World Cup Qualifying Play-Off games against Ireland
International Watch: 15 Gunners on duty
Last month several Arsenal stars and their nations qualified for next summer's World Cup. But for some the agony continues. France and Russia are preparing for high-stake Play-Off fixtures while Alex Song's Cameroon are just 90 minutes away from South Africa.
In addition to that a host of Gunners are playing international friendlies and Under-21 qualifying games over the next 10 days. There's a lot of games going on but fortunately Arsenal.com is on hand to bring you a digest of all the fixtures featuring our players.
Abou Diaby, William Gallas, Bacary Sagna,
Republic of Ireland v France, World Cup Qualifying Play-Off, November 14
France v Republic of Ireland, World Cup Qualifying Play-Off, November 18
Abou Diaby, William Gallas and Bacary Sagna have all been called-up to the France squad for their two World Cup Qualifying Play-Off games against the Republic of Ireland. The first leg takes place at Croke Park on Saturday with the second leg being held at the Stade de France on Wednesday, November 18. Arsenal academy director Liam Brady is a member of the Ireland coaching staff. The aggregate winner of the Play-Off will take their place in the draw for next summer's World Cup.
Andrey Arshavin
Russia v Slovenia, World Cup Qualifying Play-Off, November 14
Slovenia v Russia, World Cup Qualifying Play-Off, November 18
After missing out on automatic qualification for next summer's World Cup, Russia were paired with Slovenia in the Play-Offs. The first leg takes place in Moscow on Saturday with the return fixture in Maribor on Wednesday, November 18. Andrey Arshavin is captain of Russia and will be hoping to guide his nation to South Africa.
Alex Song
Morocco v Cameroon, World Cup Qualifier, November 14
Cameroon are in control of African Qualifying Group A going into the final round of fixtures. A win for Alex Song's nation would see them book a place in South Africa although even a defeat could see them to the World Cup if Gabon fail to win when they travel to Togo.
Emmanuel Eboue
Ivory Coast v Guinea, World Cup Qualifier, November 14
Germany v Ivory Coast, Friendly, November 18
A point in Malawi last month was enough to see Ivory Coast top African Qualifying Group E and qualify for the World Cup. They complete their campaign by hosting Guinea before heading to Germany for a friendly match as they step up preparations for next year's African Cup of Nations. Emmanuel Eboue and his team-mates will be keeping a close eye on the draw for the biennial tournament, which takes place on Friday, November 20.
Cesc Fabregas
Spain v Argentina, Friendly, November 14
Austria v Spain, Friendly, November 18
Having qualified for the 2010 World Cup with an impressive 100 per cent record in their qualifying group, European champions Spain make use of the international break to play two friendly matches. First up they take on Diego Maradona's Argentina in Madrid before returning to Vienna - the scene of their Euro 2008 triumph - for a friendly against Austria. Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is in the Spain squad for the two fixtures.
Eduardo
Croatia v Liechtenstein, Friendly, November 14
Croatia missed out on a spot at next summer's World Cup after finishing third in their qualifying group. Eduardo and his international team-mates will take on Liechtenstein on Saturday in a friendly match in Vinkovci.
Robin Van Persie
Italy v Netherlands, Friendly, November 14
Netherlands v Paraguay, Friendly, November 18
The Netherlands completed qualifying for the World Cup with a 100 per cent record and will now test themselves with a visit to 2006 winners Italy on Saturday before hosting Paraguay next Wednesday. The Dutch will be hoping Robin Van Persie continues his fine form after being hailed the best footballer Holland by Ronald Koeman last week.
Thomas Vermaelen
Belgium v Hungary, Friendly, November 14
Belgium v Qatar, Friendly, November 18
Belgium failed to qualify for next year's World Cup and play two home friendlies this month. First they take on Hungary and then host Qatar as they build towards the European Championship 2012 qualifiers that begin next September. Thomas Vermaelen was named Belgium captain ahead of last month's games against Turkey and Estonia.
Aaron Ramsey
Wales v Scotland, Friendly, November 14
After scoring his first senior international goal last month, Aaron Ramsey has been selected for the Wales squad to face Scotland at the new Cardiff City Stadium in an international friendly on Saturday.
Philippe Senderos
Switzerland v Norway, Friendly, November 14
Switzerland ensured themselves a place at next summer's World Cup by topping European Qualification Group Two last month and begin their preparations for the tournament with a friendly against Norway on Saturday. Philippe Senderos scored twice against Luxembourg in the last international break and will be looking to have an impact again this time out.
Wojciech Szczesny
Poland v Romania, Friendly, November 14
Poland v Canada, Friendly, November 18
Wojciech Szczesny has earned his first senior international call-up and is in the Poland squad for friendly matches against Romania and Canada. Both games are at home with the first being played in Warsaw on Saturday and the second in Bydgoszcz next Wednesday.
Kieran Gibbs
England v Portugal, UEFA Under-21 Championships Qualifier, November 14
Lithuania v England, UEFA Under-21 Championships Qualifier, November 17
Kieran Gibbs has been selected to represent England in two Under-21 European Championship Qualifiers. First up is Portugal at Wembley before a trip to struggling Lithuania next Tuesday. Stuart Pearce's side have won two and drawn one of their three games so far.
We've got four pairs of tickets to give away for the Portugal game at Wembley. Click here for details of how to enter.
Vito Mannone
Hungary v Italy, UEFA Under-21 Championships Qualifier, November 13
Luxembourg v Italy, UEFA Under-21 Championships Qualifier, November 17
Vito Mannone has been called into the Italy squad for two Under-21 European Championship Qualifiers. They travel to Hungary for a game on Friday evening and then on to Luxembourg next Tuesday. Italy have four points from their three games so far.
[Monday, November 09, 2009]
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