The 2014 World Cup will provide many of Arsenal’s stars with the opportunity to represent their country with pride and hopefully return to the Emirates with a winner’s medal around their neck. Playing at the most prestigious tournament in world football is an honour for any footballer, and is the pinnacle of their career to wear the national shirt and perform on the biggest stage. Winning the FA Cup not only ended an agonising 9-year wait for silverware, but will also provide a massive confidence boost for the players who have been called up to represent their country in Brazil to travel in good spirits. It may remove the pain and agony of letting the Premier League title slip from their grasps despite staying at the summit for over half the season, but the players must now focus on the World Cup and the wonderful excitement, drama and tension that is likely to ensue. Keeping tabs with the latest World Cup news and scorelines can allow Arsenal fans to track the progress of their favourite Gunners who could set Brazil 2014 alight and showcase the talent that make them invaluable to the Arsenal cause.
Mesut Ozil
The £42.5 million signing from Real Madrid has enjoyed mixed fortunes in his first season in an Arsenal shirt, but will look to play a starring role at this summer’s World Cup. Mesut Ozil has recaptured the form which was prominent during the first few months as a Gunner, although Arsene Wenger had to defend the German star during a difficult spell between February and March when he was well below his own high expectations. Joachim Low values Ozil as an important figure in his Germany side, with the creative midfielder utilised for his ability to create chances with his silky left foot.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The Ox has returned to fitness at just the right time for Roy Hodgson to include the young Gunner in his 23-man England squad for the World Cup. A groin injury put his chances of playing in Brazil in doubt, but the livewire winger has more than enough in his locker to be utilised as an impact substitute if he is not fully fit to start. Wenger has utilised Oxlade-Chamberlain has been utilised in a more central role on occasions, a position Wenger feels is where his future lies and can get the most from his dynamism and pace. The 20-year-old has a wonderful future ahead of him, with his stock set to rise even more if he plays a starring role England who are not expected to go far in Brazil.
Laurent Koscielny
Another team that will enter the 2014 World Cup with considerably lowered expectations and hope is France, although it will provide a wonderful chance for Laurent Koscielny to showcase his progression as a top defender. The Arsenal centre-back has enjoyed an excellent season alongside Per Mertesacker, with a crucial goal in the FA Cup Final illustrating his attacking threat at the other end of the pitch. Koscielny is likely to be a first-team regular during the World Cup as France will look to rewrite the many wrongs of South Africa 2010 and do their country proud.