Twelve Gunners on course for World Cup

The 32 nations heading to this summer's World Cup have named their preliminary squads ahead of the tournament.
 
A total of 12 Arsenal stars have been selected for the tournament. These squads are not final; each nation must name their complete 23-man squad for the competition by June 1.

Gael Clichy, William Gallas, Abou Diaby, Bacary Sagna
France
Gael Clichy, William Gallas, Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna have all been selected in France's 30-man preliminary squad. However, Samir Nasri did not make the cut. France are in Group A along with Uruguay, hosts South Africa and Carlos Vela's Mexico.

Carlos Vela
Mexico
Carlos Vela has been named in Mexico's preliminary 26-man squad for the World Cup. The striker was his country's joint-top goalscorer in qualifying. Carlos could come up against four Gunners in Mexico's Group A clash with France, scheduled for June 17.

Theo Walcott
England
Theo Walcott has been named in England's preliminary 30-man squad for the World Cup. He scored three goals in six qualifying matches for Fabio Capello's side and the Three Lions will take on USA, Algeria and Slovenia in Group C.

Robin van Persie
Netherlands
Robin van Persie has been selected in the Netherlands' initial 30-man squad. He is likely to come up against Nicklas Bendtner and Alex Song in Group E, which features Japan as well as Denmark and Cameroon.

Nicklas Bendtner
Denmark
Nicklas Bendtner was named Danish Player of the Year for 2009 after playing an integral part in his nation's qualifying campaign. He has been named in their initial 26-man squad for the World Cup. Denmark are in Group E along with Van Persie's Netherlands and Song's Cameroon.

Alex Song
Cameroon
Song has been selected in Cameroon's initial 30-man squad for the World Cup. His national team will take on Netherlands, Denmark and Japan in Group E, meaning the midfielder could come up against Arsenal strikers Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.

Emmanuel Eboue
Ivory Coast
Emmanuel Eboue has been named in Ivory Coast's provisional 30-man squad. He played in all 12 of their qualifying matches and the Ivorians join North Korea, Brazil and Portugal in Group G.

Cesc Fabregas
Spain
Cesc Fabregas has been named in Spain's 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup. He scored twice in six qualification appearances for the European champions. Spain will battle it out with Honduras, Chile and Philippe Senderos' Switzerland in Group H.

Philippe Senderos
Switzerland
Philippe Senderos scored twice in four games during Switzerland's qualifying campaign and has been selected in their initial 30-man squad for the World Cup. However Johan Djourou, who returned from injury against Fulham on Sunday, did not make the squad.

[Wednesday, May 12, 2010]

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