International Watch 14/15

England 5 - 0 San Marino.

Wele scored the third goal before being subbed off for Townsend in the second half. Has scored seven goals for club and country since joining us.

Wilshere played as the left sided central midfield in the first half and did okay. Linked up well with Gibbs and Welbeck. Second half he played at the base of the diamond and ran the show, finding Rooney at least three times with excellent passes from deep. Granted, it's against San Marino, but he was given man of the match.

Chamberlain came on at half-time and assisted Wele's goal. Looked very bright and improved England's forward play.

Gibbs and Chambers had about two defensive actions between them all game. Gibbs was tidy in position, Chambers less so.

All very positive from an Arsenal perspective.

We play Estonia on Sunday and it's likely at least three of the five will start that one. Then they'll be back at Arsenal on Monday.

Watched Szczesny for Poland against Germany. Was excellent and was a major reason why they won.

on a youth level

Chuba Akpom came off the bench to score two goals in the final two minutes as England U20s beat Holland 3-2.

Jack Wilshere interview:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/11/jack-wilshere-england-history-golden-generation?CMP=twt_gu

Chambers, Wilshere and Welbeck start for England. Gibbs and Chamberlain on the bench.

So I watched Rosicky in this qualification and he had another great game against Turkey. He played deeper and did a lots of defense and one touch passing since Czech plays counter attack, very different from what he does for Arsenal.

Estonia 0 - 1 England.

Should have been by a bigger scoreline had Rooney remembered how to finish. Set-up twice by Wilshere in a very similar fashion to the San Marino game and he missed both chances.

Wilshere was man of the match again. He wasn't always at the base of the diamond since England's midfield rotated, but he was certainly their most creative player and has become very good at playing that lofted pass over the top. More encouragingly is that he's got that burst of acceleration back that allows him to drift past players.

And this from Opta:

@OptaJoe: 5 - Jack Wilshere created five goalscoring chances against Estonia, more than any other player in the game. Crafty.

Welbeck was quiet throughout the game. Didn't look as lively up front as usual, and didn't get many chances fall his way.

Chambers wasn't very good. Defensively he was rarely challenged but his passing was worryingly wayward and he put his team in trouble at times because of it. Arsenal need him to tighten it up if they have aspirations of playing him in midfield. On a more positive note, he did produce a couple of very good crosses.

Chamberlain came on as a second half sub. Should have scored a header. Was lively again.

https://vine.co/v/OA0LrnX3tVJ

RealGunner wrote:https://vine.co/v/OA0LrnX3tVJ

Gorgeous.

That fat waster owes Jack many many assists.

Twoism wrote:So I watched Rosicky in this qualification and he had another great game against Turkey. He played deeper and did a lots of defense and one touch passing since Czech plays counter attack, very different from what he does for Arsenal.

Don't know why Arsene is reluctant to use him in a deeper role, if Santi can play there then I am sure Rosicky can do a job there.

Löw confirmed Podolski will start against Gibraltar tonight.

If he can't score a couple of goals...

I don't think anyone else is expected to play tonight.

Jenkinson scored for the U21s last night.

Gibbs will start against Slovenia tomorrow due to Baines being injured and Shaw being cut from the squad. There's a good chance we'll see three or four Arsenal players start for England.

Gibbs, Wilshere and Welbeck start for Englanf. Chambers, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott on the bench.

England starting XI vs. Slovenia: Hart; Clyne, Cahill, Jagielka, Gibbs; Wilshere, Henderson; Sterling, Rooney, Lallana; Welbeck.

urbaNRoots wrote:Gibbs, Wilshere and Welbeck start for Englanf. Chambers, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott on the bench.

England starting XI vs. Slovenia: Hart; Clyne, Cahill, Jagielka, Gibbs; Wilshere, Henderson; Sterling, Rooney, Lallana; Welbeck.

I dont know if I should be happy or very worried about this?

Incredible performance from Wilshere in that deeper midfield role, MotM. Welbeck scored 2 and Gibbs was involved in Welbeck's 2nd aswell.

Great night of football for our English players.

Wilshere-Ramsey should be tried imo

Wilshere
Ramsey Khedira*

*Or any other box to box midfielder.

In 3 man midfield, because he needs to share the defensive burden with 2 players imo.

Cazorla starts for Spain.

Spain XI: Casillas; Juanfran, Ramos, Pique, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Koke, Isco; Cazorla, Alcacer, Pedro

Watched Belgium/Wales. Fantastic Wales performance to get a 0-0, but Ramsey was really poor. Wasted possession every time he got on the ball; was caught on it a lot, couldn't play a through pass, couldn't play a cross-field pass, or even a simple sideways pass. Worrying signs.