It’s been confirmed that Granit Xhaka will wear the armband for Switzerland at his third consecutive World Cup.
The Arsenal midfielder made his debut for his country as an 18-year-old n 2011 and has since earned more than 100 caps.
Unsere 26 Spieler für die WM
Nos 26 joueurs pour la Coupe du Monde
I nostri 26 giocatori per il Mondiale
Noss 26 giuveders per la WM@FIFAWorldCup #squad #aufgebot #sélection #convocazione#natimiteuch #lanatiavecvous #lanaticonvoi pic.twitter.com/hqja5jsKvw— 🇨🇭 Nati (@nati_sfv_asf) November 9, 2022
The Swiss have been drawn in World Cup Group G and will face Cameroon, Serbia and Brazil. That means a showdown with club teammates Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, who learned of their call-ups on Monday.
Unsurprisingly, the attacking duo are on cloud nine. Speaking to Arsenal.com, Mikel Arteta revealed:
“They have big smiles on their faces. For Gabi Martinelli, it’s his first one and I think it’s a huge achievement to be part of the national team. For Gabby Jesus, it’s great as well because he needed that call after what happened in the last one.”
Unfortunately for defender Gabriel Magalhaes, he didn’t get the news he was hoping for.
“For Gabi Magalhaes it’s a disappointment, but when you look at the squad that they have and the experience they have in that position, you have to understand that and it’s another challenge for him,” said Arteta.
“He needs to be ready for the next one, he needs to improve and carry on with the good things that he’s been doing.”
Saka and Ramsdale to be called up soon, Saliba and Partey too. I think that’s the lot (unless Benjamin does)?
Love Arteta’s words for Magalhaes. That’s the mentality.
Even still I think it’s a mistake. Looked at their defenders and who the hell is Bremer? As poor as Juventus have been he gets the call over Gabi? I’m also not convinced Militao and Marquinhos are much better than Gabi. More international experience I guess. It’s a shame for him, one less WC in a short career.
Marquinhos is basically a brazilian mustafi. He frequently makes a calamitous error in one of PSGs doomed Champions League runs. Militao is also pretty sketchy.
I think Bremer is quite good though.
Gabriel has played the most minutes this season I think? so a break over the WC may be a good thing.
Well done Xhaka and good luck in the World Cup to all three players.
I have a feeling that a gunner or two will win the world cup. All the best lads!
93rd minute! and it’s up for grabs now.
Martinelli picks it up on the halfway line and just keeps running. Where does he get the energy? He cuts inside and unleashes an absolute pile driver toward the top corner. Lloris somehow gets a hand to it, but Jesus reacts quickest to the rebound and with the last kick of the match, smashes the ball into the roof of the net!
2-1 to Brazil. Its despair for Hugo Lloris and France, but ecstasy for Brazil and their Arsenal duo who have set this tournament alight.
Headline: ‘Arsenal Win The World Cup!’
Surprised Saliba didn’t block this and get the ball up the pitch again.
He scored the first goal though and has restricted Neymar to 0 shots on target. He had to go off to change his shirt after Neymar tore it while trying to get past him and that’s when Martinelli and Jesus scored the two goals.
That’s the problem with a Brazil v France (or England) final – an Arsenal player will win it, but so will a Spud.
I’ll settle for a Switzerland v Japan or Ghana final – give it to Xhaka, Tomiyasu or TP.
The Swiss have also included a barrel with legs in their world cup squad? Surely this must be a mistake
I don’t get it
Xhaka is captain of the guiveders! Also the spieler, joueurs, and giocatori! Can’t be neutral about that.
Boycott that World Cup!
I hope our guys do well, but I won’t be watching. It’s all too shit. They might as well have the bodies buried under the pitch.
It’s true that there’s a lot of negative feeling around for this World Cup for obvious reasons but the viewing figures are still likely to be enormous. However, it will be interesting to see if there’s any fall from the last one.
Question is, are you watching it?
F*ck Fifa, f*ck Blätter, f*ck Infantino, f*ck the whole circus.
This is the first World Cup in my lifetime that I won’t be watching a single minute of. But I’m not feeling at all sorry for myself, I’m thinking of the poor bastards who literally gave their lives for this monstrosity.
Arsene Wenger is the only man with integrity and class in that corrupt organisation
Couldn’t help but notice Cedric and Vieira were both named in the Portugal 55 man provisional squad (to be whittled down tomorrow). The Nottingham Forest of the World Cup.
I don’t know at this point how FIFA’s directive to referees will come down on more aggressive and physical play. If they don’t allow it, you could see Vieira coming into his own.
Well I doubt Vieira makes the final cut.
Well deserved.