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ARSENAL: Spain crash out but Merida shines

/noticias.info/ 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 call-ups...

After his impressive performance on matchday one, Kieran Gibbs was once again handed a starting berth as England took on the much-fancied Italians.

After riding an early bout of pressure the Three Lions seized control and penned in their opponents and certainly looked the team most likely. West Ham youngster Freddie Sears went close, as did Manchester City youngster Daniel Sturridge, but it was Gibbs again that shone. The nimble-footed youngster worked some space for a shot outside the box, only to be thwarted by the crossbar; it was the closest anyone came before half-time.

The interval did little to change the outlook of the game with both sides continuing to fire blanks in front of goal. Italy enjoyed their brightest spell as the minutes ticked by before Gibbs went close again. Both managers reshuffled but fortunes remained unchanged and at full-time the disappointment for England was palpable; they must now win if they are to have any hope of progressing from the Group.

Elsewhere, Fran Merida was back in Spain’s starting line-up for the match against Hungary. The Arsenal man played on the left in a three-man midfield as Spain, needing a win to rescue their tournament after defeat in their first fixture against Germany, went for broke.

Indeed it was the Spanish who appeared the most creative with Merida the hub. But Hungary are a tidy outfit and, utilising Liverpool youngster Krisztian Nemeth up front, caused problems on the counter-attack. Merida was a shining light of the Iberian raids and continued to create openings, but, as with the England game, a lack of cohesion in front goal meant half-time arrived without the scorers being troubled.

There was more of the same after the interval as Merida exhibited all the qualities required to succeed in the Premier League; his incisive passing and powerful surges with the ball was a joy to watch. However the youngster is short of fitness and was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining.

Impetus didn’t drop, though. Aaron Niguez and Nemeth both went close before the deadlock was broken from an unlikely source. Hungary’s Olivier Nagy found himself unchaperoned in the box and duly prodded home the goal that would send Spain crashing out of the competition. notas_de_prensa_archivo