Arsenal.com's International Watch reports back to base on those who have temporarily swapped the red of Arsenal for the colours of their national sides. Read on for the latest call-ups...
Robin van Persie
Luxemburg 0-1 Holland, September 2, Holland 3-0 Belarus,
September 6
Robin van Persie was the inspiration as Holland bounced back
from their poor performance against Luxembourg on Saturday to beat
Belarus 3-0 in Rotterdam. The Arsenal forward scored twice and then
set up Dirk Kuyt for a third goal in stoppage time. Van Persie
broke the deadlock after 32 minutes, hammering a shot into the net
after Wesley Sneijder's corner kick was cleared to the edge of
the box. A well-placed shot brought Van Persie his second 12
minutes from time and he picked out Kuyt to wrap up a comfortable
win.
Thierry Henry, William Gallas
Georgia 0-3 France, September 2, France 3-1
Italy, September 6
Thierry Henry scored for the second successive game and
William Gallas provided an assist as France exacted some measure of
revenge on Italy when this year's World Cup finalists met again
at the Stade de France. Fifty-nine days after losing out on
penalties to the Azzurri in Berlin, Raymond Domenech's side
eased to victory thanks to Henry's strike and a double from
Sidney Govou. Govou broke the deadlock after just two minutes,
volleying home Gallas' cross. Henry doubled France's lead
from a narrow angle after Florent Malouda's shot had been
blocked. Alberto Gilardino reduced the deficit but Govou sealed
victory with a header.
Freddie Ljungberg
Latvia 0-1 Sweden, September 2, Sweden 3-1
Liechtenstein, September 6
Freddie Ljungberg missed a penalty but still captained his side to
a narrow victory against Group F minnows Liechtenstein. The Arsenal
midfielder fired a late spot-kick wide but it proved academic as
Sweden maintained their 100 per cent record after two matches.
Marcus Allbäck opened the scoring but the hosts were stunned
when Mario Frick fired past Rami Shaaban before half time.
Allbäck restored Sweden's advantage with 20 minutes
remaining and Markus Rosenberg clinched the points with a minute
left, shortly after Ljungberg's penalty miss.
Tomas Rosicky
Czech Republic 2-1 Wales, September 2, Slovakia 0-3 Czech Republic,
September 6
Tomas Rosicky wore the captain's armband and played the full 90
minutes as the Czech Republic eased to a 3-0 victory over Slovakia.
Libor Sionko scored two first-half goals in Bratislava and set up
another for Jan Koller to send the Czechs clear of their rivals at
the top of Group D. Sionko struck after 10 and 21 minutes to put
the visitors in charge before Koller added a third midway through
the second half. The Czech Republic face San Marino in their next
Euro 2008 qualifier on October 7.
Cesc Fabregas
Spain 4-0 Liechtenstein, September 2, Northern Ireland 3-2 Spain,
September 6
Cesc Fabregas came off the bench after 29 minutes but could not
stop Northern Ireland completing a shock victory over Spain at
Windsor Park. The Arsenal midfielder replaced David Albelda with
the score at 1-1 and, after going close himself, picked out David
Villa with a precise through-ball as the Valencia striker restored
Spain's lead after 52 minutes. A Spain victory looked on the
cards but David Healy equalised with his second goal of the night
and then lobbed Iker Casillas with 10 minutes left to complete his
hat-trick and condemn Fabregas and company to an unexpected
defeat.
Alex Hleb
Belarus 2-2 Albania, September 2, Holland 3-0
Belarus, September 6
Alexander Hleb played a full 90 minutes as Belarus slipped to a 3-0
defeat in Holland. The Arsenal midfielder was at the hub of
Belarus' most promising moves but could not find a way past the
Dutch defence. Belarus have one point from their opening two Euro
2008 qualifiers after Albania held them to a draw at the
weekend.
Jens Lehmann
Germany 1-0 Republic of Ireland, September 2, San Marino 0-13
Germany, September 6
Jens Lehmann played a full 90 minutes but had very little to do as
Germany thrashed San Marino 13-0 - the biggest win in European
Championship qualifying history. Lukas Podolski scored four times
as Germany eclipsed Spain's 12-1 success against Malta in 1983,
becoming only the second German to score four goals in a European
Championships game after Gerd Müller's achievement against
Albania in 1967. Miroslav Klose (2), Michael Ballack, Bastian
Schweinsteiger (2), Thomas Hitzlsperger (2), Manuel Friedrich and
Bernd Schneider were the other scorers.
Gilberto, Julio Baptista
Argentina 0-3 Brazil, September 3, Brazil 2-0 Wales, September
5
Julio Baptista and Gilberto were both in action as Brazil beat
Wales in a friendly at White Hart Lane on Tuesday night.
Arsenal's new signing played the first 78 minutes before he was
substituted by Rafael Sobis. Gilberto, who started against
Argentina on Sunday, came off the bench to replace Edmilson at half
time. Baptista forced a good save from Paul Jones in the Wales goal
in the first half but Brazil had to wait until the second half to
break the deadlock. They took the lead after an hour when left back
Junior Marcelo found the bottom corner with a 25-yard drive.
Striker Vagner Love added a second on 74 minutes when he headed
home from Cicinho's right-wing cross.
Mart Poom
Estonia 0-1 Israel, September 2
Mart Poom played the full 90 minutes as Estonia lost their second
successive Euro 2008 qualifier, this time at home to Israel.
Roberto Colautti struck in the eight minute a series of defensive
errors allowed West Ham's Yossi Benayoun a path into the
penalty area. His shot was parried by Poom and Colautti tapped in
the only goal of the game.
