Though the “interlull” has robbed us of Arsenal for a couple of weeks, Arsenal’s players have been kind enough to cheer us up with some superb performances for their national teams.

Abou’s Back

After stunning us with his rampaging performance at Liverpool, there were more than a few people (myself included) who expected Abou Diaby to be injured on international duty. Thankfully, he showed us our fears were misplaced with another commanding game for France. He scored the only goal of the game and was “everywhere”, as said by the French press.

More of the same from Santi

After just three games we all know how good Santi Cazorla is, and it seems Spain remembered too. He started their friendly match against Saudi Arabia and wasted no time in laying on a goal and an assist in their 5-0 victory. Even better, he wasn’t injured either.

See his goal:

Two assists for Arsenal’s Three (two) Lions

England also enjoyed a 5-0 win yesterday, away at Moldova, with assists from both Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Theo Walcott, who replaced Chamberlain in the second half.

It was the 19 year old midfielder who impressed again, starting the game on the left wing and looking for all the world like he’d been an England starter for the last 5 years. He had a fairly free role, coming inside a lot, and seems to be improving just as Arsenal want him to be.

Mr Walcott is a bit of a pariah among Arsenal fans at the moment because of his likely departure on a Bosman next summer, but he came on and partnered Jermaine Defoe (then Danny Welbeck) in attack, suggesting he may finally be transitioning to centre-forward, the position he assures us he’s best in.

I’ll believe it when I see it.

Round-up

Aside from that, Thomas Vermaelen, Per Mertesacker and Johan Djourou helped their teams to clean-sheets in their internationals, while Aaron Ramsey captained Wales in controversial 2-0 defeat to Belgium.

An honourable mention goes to Francis Coquelin, who received a red card within 2 minutes of his France Under-21 game.

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