FIFA World Cup 2010: England and USA Qualify and Cesc Still Loves Arsene Wenger

Good morning/afternoon from a very overcast Dublin. I'm absolutely knackered this morning after a very hectic day yesterday which ended in the small hours when my brother in law's book launch party finally concluded. We were treated to live music from Noise Control, The Dub Tones and The Excuses with my eldest son playing the drums in the last of those bands.

Yesterday was a very exciting day at the World Cup with both groups C and D reaching a their conclusion. First of all we witnessed England taking on Slovenia at the same time as the USA played Algeria. England got off to a good start and took the lead through Defoe. As they created and missed more chances things started to get a little nervy but they managed to hold out despite a few late scares to finish runners up and book a last 16 game with the winners of group D.

The fact that they didn't win the group was down to the USA and their injury time winner against Algeria. From what I saw and heard Donovan had a poor game but all that counted for nothing as he scored a rebound after a very late breakaway. Algeria had eventually pushed forward in search of a goal as their exit was imminent but the goal came at the other end and they finished up at the bottom of the group, with only one point and no goals scored.

In my opinion group C was probably the weakest group of all from the football I have seen so far. England will have a tough game against Germany and the USA will also have their work cut out against Ghana if either of them are to make the quarter finals. I have heard a lot of criticism of the English display and while it was not great they at least got the required result and made plenty of chances too. I know Slovenia had a couple of decent chances too but that is to be expected at this level. The biggest problem for England would seem to be the continued inability of Rooney to find any form at all.

I suppose Slovenia will feel a little hard done by after going out to an injury time goal in the other game but I think the USA deserved their place in the next round. They had yet another goal disallowed that looked perfectly legitimate to me and if these things do indeed balance out over the tournament they are are due a few calls in their favour quite soon.

In the late kick offs Germany got their expected win over Ghana to top the group and book their clash with England through a 1-0 win courtesy of an Ozil goal on the hour mark. In the other game Australia regained some of their pride as they beat Serbia and managed to finish third in the group but ultimately their opening 4-0 defeat to Germany is what put them out. Serbia beat the group winners but still exited the tournament and try as they might at the end of the game they couldn't find the equaliser that would have put them through to the last 16. 

Today's games kick off this afternoon with the climax to group F as Italy take on Slovakia and Paraguay take on New Zealand. All of the teams can progress with a draw with the exception of Slovakia although if both games are drawn it will be very close between Italy and New Zealand. I have a funny feeling that Italy will draw with Slovakia and it will mean that Paraguay win the group and New Zealand will need a higher scoring draw than Italy to make it through. If their scores match each other there will be a lottery between the two teams for progress to the next round.

In reality anything could happen and Paraguay are probably favourites to beat New Zealand although I won't write New Zealand off as they have shown great spirit and commitment so far. It would be fantastic for them and football if they made it through to the last 16 and I hope that they do.

In the late kick offs The Netherlands take on Cameroon in a game which means very little to Cameroon as they are already out of the competition. I'm sure The Netherlands will get the win and finish with nine points out of nine even if they do rest a few players. We should see two Arsenal players go head to head in this game as RVP plays against Song.

The other game is a different matter altogether as Denmark have to beat Japan to qualify but Japan only need a draw. Denmark played well in coming from behind against Cameroon to win 2-1 at the weekend but I wasn't overly impressed with their defence. I haven't seen too much of Japan yet but I'm predicting a Denmark win although I have sneaking suspicion that I'm only doing so  because Bendtner is in their team.

In Arsenal news we are again linked with Fulham and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer as he is now out of the tournament and if the move is going to happen it would seem like the ideal time. I think he's a better keeper than Almunia although his mistake against Italy hasn't helped his chances and I'm not too sure if we will actually sign him.

Cesc spoke to the Spanish media yesterday and he told them that Barcelona manager Guardiola was his boyhood idol as he played in the same position as him. He also said that the people of Barcelona treated him very well when he spent two months there last season recovering from injury but when asked about a possible move to Barcelona he said he is concentrating on the World Cup with Spain. Crucially he also spoke about Arsene Wenger and he said "He means everything to me. He is the person who put his trust in me, without him, I don't know if I would be a professional footballer today. I owe him a lot and I have a special affection for him."

The pursuit of Koscielny continues and the boss admitted that an approach had been made and that negotiations are still continuing. It looks like he will be an Arsenal player as soon as a price can be agreed and I don't think we will have to wait too long for that.

The boss also confirmed that Gallas will be on his way out of the club when his contract expires and he questioned the decision by France to play him in the World Cup despite having only played a few minutes for Arsenal in past four months.

The good news on Aaron Ramsey is that he is back running and he will have the pin taken out shortly according Welsh assistant manager Dean Saunders. I still think the rehab will take a long time and we won't see the very best of him again until the end of the season as long as everything goes to plan but I will be pleasantly surprised  if it works out better than that. I still think that he is the long term replacement for Cesc and Cesc will go nowhere until he has made a full recovery.

I'm not sure quite what to make of it all but I'm hoping that it means Cesc will let the boss decide what his future will be and if that is the case I'm sure he will be going nowhere as Arsenal have no intention of selling no matter how many Barcelona players come out and say they want him at the club. That's it for today.

Here's a reminder of what Ramsey can do.

See You Tomorrow.