Arsenal will have two representatives in the France squad for this summer’s European Championships.
Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud were named in Didier Deschamps 23 man panel. The former has made 43 appearances for the Gunners this season, scoring 4 goals, while Giroud has 21 goals to his name in 37 starts and 16 substitute appearances.
They’re joined in the squad by former Arsenal teammate Bacary Sagna, and also Lasanna Diarra who had a 6 month spell at the Emirates before going off in a huff.
As reported earlier, Mathieu Debuchy was ruled out of contention due to a thigh injury. The right back has spent the last few months on loan at Bordeaux and is expected to leave the club permanently this summer.
No Sanogo? Lunacy.
Deschumps
France have lots of talent at their disposal but how they can omit Benzema/Ribery/Ben Arfa/Flamini is beyond me.
Benzema is busy selling sex tapes, Ribery is too old and said he didn’t want to play for France anymore (before doing a 180), Ben Arfa is shit, Flamini… lol On a more serious note, I think France has the same problems as us: great midfield, decent defense, average strikers.
I can assure that Griezmann isn’t an ‘average’ striker.
not to forget, lacazette!
You might wanna check out what Ben Arfa’s been up to for Nice this season, the other 3 are fair enough, umm Flamini? seriously?
I guess you mean England by us? I’m not English but I think your defence is average, your midfield decent and your forward line strong. Ben Arfa is supposed to have had a great season at Nice, he has the talent that’s for sure.
I was joking including Flamini in the list though. Just for the record.
ben arfa was one best player this season in france and the main reason Nice is pushing for champions league instead midtable mediocrity . ho yea Barca is interested too as he is free to leave
Ben arfa’s form this season makes giroud look like a joke. If anything, Giroud or Gignac should’ve been dropped for him. It’s also crazy that Gaimeiro is missing out as well. Lacazette too.
no flamini or squilacci in france squad? sacre bleu
The players left out of the squad could really form a pretty good XI. If any team played Coq, Schneiderlein and Kondogbia in midfield with Benzema, Ben Arfa and Lacazette up front, they would be considered contenders. And that’s not even counting Nasri, Valbuena and Clichy. How many of those would get into the English first XI?
20 goals this season Giroud. Yet we see the papers spuriously connecting us with players who score less in Morata and Icardi. PLUS not sure why everyone keeps focusing on GIroud. Welbeck hasn’t been prolific nor has Walcott been anywhere near useful considering money paid. People are simplistic and lazily listen to half baked opinions made in the media about Giroud being lazy etc. Last two matches he was back to good form with 2 assists and a goal. He acts as a node when not scoring for the team plus he delivers a different dimension for us (even should… Read more »
I agree. I’m honestly much more onboard with Walcott leaving than Giroud – and TW14 was the first name I ever got on an Arsenal shirt. Walcott has contributed next to nothing this season, and while Giroud has fallen away in end product over the second half, at least he works for the team and is capable of some rather tasty link-up play.
He’s never going to be our Suarez/Messi, but we should appreciate him for what he is!
Yes, but Giroud have had the service of Özil, a more prolific strike would have scored 30+
Very well said. Giroud isn’t given enough credit as being an absolute beast when it comes to holding the ball up and linking up play. Having said so there are plenty games when he’s completely nullified, especially when the opponents decide to crowd their penalty box and double up on Giroud every single time, or even the occasional loss of form which happens almost every year when he gets complacent. Which is why fans would like to see a different type of striker, one that can make space for himself, can create goals out of nothing, as much as a… Read more »
How many were in the league?? Giroud is average and that’s all there is to it.
15 matches without a goal is not underrated or whatever. Jermain Defoe has better stats than giroud and plays for freaking Sunderland.
23 man panel?
The team certainly doesn’t look that great to be called Favourites.
Lacking in defence and Giroud looks to be the only out and out striker, with both Martial and Griezmann set play from the wings.
I think France could go all the way.
If we’re being honest, Giroud shouldn’t be on the list. Gameiro, ben arfa and Lacazette have been in better form this season. Also don’t understand why Sissoko is going over Rabiot and Schneiderlin.
Think they’ll miss both benz and vaulbuena. Pogba, payet and to a certain extent cabaye are the only creative players on there.
I recently re-read Philippe Auclair’s Thierry Henry biography; apparently, Stephane Guivarc’h wasn’t so hot in 1998 either, but he was selected for the French national team because he was a good fit for/among the other starters. I’m not saying Giroud’s presence will definitely win France the Euro, but squad selection isn’t always as straightforward as selecting the best 23 players.
Then again, you’re pretty much never happy on here, are you? Not making this personal, just an honest observation.
Yep.. agree with eddymc2. If football is that straightforward everyone who plays football manager would be a decent manager. Heck I won 3 premier league titles with arsenal in FM, with that logic I should be writing a book about squad selection and how to manage a club. Sign me up arsenal!
Based on current form, Giroud shouldn’t be on that list. Any person objective enough will admit that. If Deschamps feels differently, fine. Doesn’t change the fact that more deserving players have been left out.
No you are making it personal. It’s my opinion and that’s all there is to it. Criticizing Giroud or any player when they mess up doesn’t make me “unhappy” or whatever it is you think.
Surprised the coq didn’t even make the stand-by list.