The bad news is England are out of the World Cup.
The good news is the defeat means Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale join Matt Turner, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli back in London.
Of the 10 that went out to Qatar, just one remains – William Saliba. And whilst I am furstrated at England’s exit, I am quietly happy that we have nearly a full squad back together 2 weeks before the West Ham game.
I would expect Saka to be given a week off to unwind following England’s exit. To not worry about joining up with the squad in Qatar. I would be surprised to see him next Saturday against Juventus. He will likely join the team for the warm down session on the Sunday as his first training session back.
Ramsdale did no play in Qatar, so I would not be surprised if he flew straight to Dubai and plays some part of the AC Milan game on Tuesday.
Saying that, he will more likely be given a couple of days off, and join back up with the squad when they return to London Colney on Thursday. Expect him to start against Juventus.
Gabriel Martinelli is in a similar boat to Ramsdale. Played very little.
According to Brazilian media, he made an early exit from Brazil’s hotel, taking a Friday night flight back to London. The Brazil FA had scheduled flights for their players Saturday morning.
This meant Martinelli would be back in his own bed Friday evening and I would imagine tomorrow he will fly out to Dubai, joining up with the squad for the Milan game.
So with almost everyone now home, how did Arsenal’s 10 at the World Cup get on?
Matt Turner – 360 / 360 minutes played
Arsenal’s “big winner” so far at this World Cup. Put in some fantastic performances for the USA, showing he is good enough to be 2nd choice at Arsenal.
Aaron Ramsdale – 0 / 450 minutes
Spent the entire torunament warming the bench. With Jordan Pickford just 28, it is something he will have to get used to. Should also drive him to keep improving.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 187 / 450 minutes
Went to the World Cup carrying a knock, and started just one game. Showed his quality against Germany, but he also picked up another knock in that game. Injuries becoming a concern.
Ben White – 0 / 450 minutes
Left early for personal reasons. We made the decision not to join the speculation. Hopefully the short break in the Maldives will get him back in the right head space and a return to familar surroundings at Arsenal will make his World Cup experience a distant memory.
William Saliba – 27 / 450 minutes
Yet to a game as France enter the semi-final stages. When France played their “2nd string” in the final group game, he was on the bench, getting just 27 minutes in their 1-0 defeat to Tunisia.
Opposing fans have taken this as “evidence” that he is not very good. Liverpool fans going OTT saying their 3rd choice defender (Ibrahima Konaté) starts ahead of Saliba, highlighting it shows the “levels” between the clubs. We are top, they are 6th, 15 points behind.
Very clear that Didier Deschamps selected him for the experience of a big international tournament.
Thomas Partey – 270 / 270 minutes
Knocked out in the group stages, Thomas Partey had a quiet tournament. Must be hard for him going from playing with great players at Arsenal to what Ghana are currently offering. With his injury record, I would not be surprised if he retires from international duty.
Granit Xhaka – 360 / 360 minutes
Tough tournament for Xhaka and Switzerland.
Got through a tough group, only to be threashed by Portugual in the Round of 16. Flew straight from Qatar to Dubai which shows his mentality.
Bukayo Saka – 293 / 360 minutes
MOTM in the first game, dropped for the 3rd. England’s best player as they lost to France. Tournament confirmed what us Arsenal fans already knew. Time to stop talking about Saka’s potential. He is not a “Star Boy” . He is a Superstar right now.
Gabriel Martinelli – 111 / 450 minutes
Martinelli can be proud that he made it into Brazil’s squad. And when he got on the pitch he showed he belongs. With Brazil’s abundance of attacking talent, he will have to keep performing and improving to remain in the squad. Training with the likes of Neymar and Vinicus Junior will only improve him. Wonder if he has learned a few new tricks?
Gabriel Jesus – 92 / 450 minutes
Arsenal big loser at this World Cup. Found himself on the bench for Brazil’s first two group games. Finally made a start in the “dead rubber” against Cameron, and got injured. Likely to be out until February. A very frustrating tourament.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
I have a slightly different perspective on England’s loss. I’ve been a NZ Arsenal fanatic since 1977. And we antipodeans rather enjoy watching England pump itself up, before falling on its sword in yet another Shakespearean sporting tragedy. Kane missing from 12 yards to put them out was the perfect garnish. My hope with tournaments (‘cos let’s face it, NZ are never going to be pulling up trees) is that all Arsenal players return home uninjured. In fact, I don’t usually want Arsenal players’ countries to go too deep into the tournament. So, Jesus was devastating. But, I believe in the system and depth Arteta has built. We haven’t been reliant on Jesus for goals, although he is obviously a huge part of our attacking threat. Defenders are terrified of him and that creates mayhem. Hopefully, Eddie has learned a trick or two from him. And a fresh, fit and hungry Jesus returning around February could be quite a weapon.
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