Robin Van Persie... celebrates scoring against Mexico
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Twelve Gunners have been selected in preliminary national squads for the World Cup and are set to represent their countries in pre-tournament friendlies over the next three weeks.
They will each be fighting for a place in their national teams' final 23-man squads and Arsenal.com will be keeping a very close eye on their progress between now and June 1, when we will bring you full details of who has booked a place on the plane to South Africa.
Robin van Persie and Carlos Vela
Netherlands 2-1 Mexico
Wednesday, May 26
Robin van Persie scored both Netherlands goals as the Dutch overcame Carlos Vela's Mexico 2-1 in Germany on Wednesday evening.
The first goal came 17 minutes in when Rafael van der Vaart crossed from deep on the left. The ball bounced beyond keeper Francisco Ochoa and Van Persie had made a run to the back post to turn the ball home.
The 26-year-old then extended his country's lead with an excellent volley shortly before half time. Ibrahim Afellay swung in a high cross from the right which looped over the Mexico defence. Van Persie raced onto it and produced a superb finish to find the bottom corner.
Having started against England two days earlier Vela was on the bench in Freiburg but was introduced as a 55th-minute substitute while Van Persie was replaced by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar nine minutes later.
Mexico were given hope of taking something from the game 15 minutes from time when Javier Hernandez headed in from Jorge Torres' cross. However, the Netherlands held out to extend their unbeaten run to 17 games.
Next up for the Dutch is a friendly with Ghana on Tuesday. Mexico take on Italy next Thursday.
[Thursday, May 27, 2010]
