Internationals: Rosicky on target for Czechs
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 news on how they all got on...
Tomas Rosicky
Czech Republic 3-1 Slovakia, November 17, Cyprus v Czech Republic, November 21
Tomas Rosicky scored his country's third goal as the Czech Republic beat neighbours Slovakia 3-1 in Prague. The Czechs are already assured of qualification but the win ensured they remain in pole position in Group D. Zdenek Grygera fired them into the lead inside a quarter of an hour, before late goals from Marek Kulic and then Rosicky sandwiched a Michal Kadlec own goal. The Czechs must now travel to Cyprus as they look to seal top spot in the group.
Nicklas Bendtner
Northern Ireland 2-1 Denmark, November 17, Denmark v Iceland, November 21
Despite breaking the deadlock six minutes after the interval, Nicklas Bendtner and Denmark were beaten 2-1 by Northern Ireland. The result confirms elimination for the Danes, but saw David Healy set a new record of 13 goals at this stage of the competition, surpassing former Gunner Davor Suker's record from the Euro '96 qualifiers. Healy's 80th-minute chip added to Warren Feeney's 62nd-minute equaliser. Denmark will host Iceland in their final group game.
William Gallas, Bacary Sagna, Lassana Diarra, Mathieu Flamini
France 2-2 Morocco, November 16, Ukraine v France, November 21
William Gallas and Lasanna Diarra were both in action for France as they warmed up for their qualifying match with Ukraine on Wednesday with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Morocco. Mathieu Flamini was introduced from the bench with seven minutes remaining for his international debut, and Bacary Sagna was an unused substitute. Tarik Sektioui put the Moroccans in front inside eight minutes but Sidney Govou replied seven minutes later. The highly impressive Samir Nasri then put Les Blues in front, but Youssef Mokhtari levelled the scores moments before the end.
Theo Walcott, Matthew Connolly
England Under-21 2-0 Bulgaria Under-21, November 16, Portugal Under-21 v England Under-21, November 20
An excellent performance from Theo Walcott kept England Under-21s on course for Euro 2009 as they beat Bulgaria 2-0 at the new home of MK Dons. The youngster was a thorn in the visitors' side as his pace from out wide caused trouble all night. In-form Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor put the hosts ahead just before the break, before James Milner put the game beyond doubt with a penalty, brilliantly won by Walcott, nine minutes from the end. A win in Portugal on Tuesday will virtually confirm England's qualification from their group.
Eduardo
Macedonia 2-0 Croatia , November 17, England v Croatia, Nov 21
Eduardo was withdrawn 10 minutes after half-time as Croatia lost their unbeaten record in Group E with a 2-0 defeat in Macedonia. Goran Maznov and Ilco Naumoski were on target for the hosts late in the second half. With the Croats already ensured of qualification and the conditions in Skopje horrendous, the match offered little to those watching from the stands. Croatia now travel to London for Wednesday's fixture with England at Wembley.
Alexander Hleb
Albania 2-4 Belarus, November 17, Belarus v Holland, Nov 21
Alex Hleb continued his fine club form on the international scene as he helped Belarus to a 4-2 defeat of Albania in Tirana. The 26-year-old was not on the scoresheet but Maksim Romashchenko and Vitali Kutuzov both grabbed a brace to add some respectability to the Belarussians final Group G standing. They entertain Holland in their final qualifier on Wednesday.
Gilberto
Peru v Brazil, November 18, Brazil v Uruguay, November 21
Gilberto completed 90 minutes for Brazil as they stuttered in their World Cup 2010 qualifying bid in Peru on Sunday. A spectacular effort from Kaka five minutes before half-time looked to have been enough, until Juan Manuel Vargas Risco's effort was deflected past the despairing dive of Julio Cesar 18 minutes from time. Gilberto will lead his team against Uruguay in their next fixture on Wednesday.
Jens Lehmann
Germany 4-0 Cyprus, November 17, Germany v Wales, November 21
In his first competitive start since the last international break in mid-October, Jens Lehmann kept a clean sheet as Germany hit four past Cyprus in Hannover. Clemens Fritz got the home side off to the perfect start, scoring inside two minutes, before Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski struck either side of half-time. Former Aston Villa player Thomas Hitzlsperger slotted home a fourth, eight minutes from time, to move the Germans level on points with leaders Czech Republic. Next up is the visit of Wales on Wednesday.
Lukasz Fabianski
Poland v Belgium, November 17, Serbia v Poland, November 21
Lukasz Fabianski was an unused substitute as Poland ensured a safe passage to Euro 2008 with a 2-0 win at home to Belgium. Two goals from Euzebiusz Smolarek mean that Leo Beenhakker's men will line up alongside the elite of Europe for the first time in their history. The Poles top Group A, one point ahead of Portugal, as they head to Serbia in the final fixture of this stage.
Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue
Angola 2-1 Ivory Coast, November 17, Ivory Coast v Qatar, November 21
The Ivory Coast were defeated 2-1 by Angola in an international friendly. Next up for Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue is a match against Qatar in Paris on Wednesday.
Great stuff Mathieu. Well deserved. Is in career best form.
