It’s finally here! In the words of YouTube star iShowSpeed, “it’s time to play football” as the 2022 World Cup is just hours away from officially getting underway.
The squads have already been announced with as many as 10 Arsenal players including Bukayo Saka, Granit Xhaka, William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus selected by their respective nations. But who will do the best in Qatar and who will have a somewhat forgettable tournament?
Over the years the Gunners have had six players win the World Cup whilst contracted to the club, with the last set coming in 2014 when Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski were part of the Germany squad that emerged victorious in Brazil by beating Argentina.
Then there’s Emmanuel Petit who scored for France in the 1998 final on home soil and Cesc Fabregas played the final pass before Andres Iniesta broke Netherlands fans’ hearts in the closing moments of extra-time in the 2010 final to help Spain claim their first World Cup title.
So come December 18, will it be a case of one or more Arsenal players are 90 minutes plus extra-time and penalties away from claiming the biggest honour football has to offer ahead of returning to north London to resume the Premier League season a week later?
With the opening game of the 2022 World Cup right around the corner, we asked our football.london Arsenal Writers and Arsenal Content Editor to look into their crystal balls and make their predictions solely based on how the Gunners representatives will fare in Qatar.
Tom Canton – Arsenal Writer
Which Arsenal player will score the most goals at the World Cup?: Bukayo Saka
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Who will be the standout Arsenal player at the World Cup?: Granit Xhaka
Will Ben White start for England in their opening World Cup fixture?: Nope (Silly silly Southgate)
How many appearances will Gabriel Martinelli make for Brazil at the World Cup?: Two (both from the bench)
Which player will Arsenal sign off the back of an impressive World Cup?: Jesper Lindstrom
Which Arsenal player will be eliminated from the World Cup first?: Matt Turner
Which Arsenal player(s) will win the World Cup?: William Saliba
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne – Arsenal Writer
Which Arsenal player will score the most goals at the World Cup?: Gabriel Jesus. He’s done everything but score for Arsenal over the past month or so, but if he gets off the mark early then I think the floodgates will open and he’ll net at least three times for Brazil.
Who will be the standout Arsenal player at the World Cup?: Bukayo Saka.
Will Ben White start for England in their opening World Cup fixture?: No. Whilst I think Gareth Southgate will go with a back four, Kieran Trippier will probably get the nod at right-back.
How many appearances will Gabriel Martinelli make for Brazil at the World Cup?: I don’t think he will start at all as he does have Vinicius Jr ahead of him in the pecking order but I would be surprised if he doesn’t make at least three appearances in total from the bench.
Which player will Arsenal sign off the back of an impressive World Cup?: Jude Bellingham. One can only hope.
Which Arsenal player will be eliminated from the World Cup first?: Thomas Partey. Ghana will lose their first two games which will result in the midfielder heading back to Arsenal at the beginning of December.
Which Arsenal player(s) will win the World Cup?: Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Let us know your Arsenal predictions for the World Cup in the comments
Bailey Keogh – Arsenal Writer
Which Arsenal player will score the most goals at the World Cup?: Gabriel Jesus
Who will be the standout Arsenal player at the World Cup?: William Saliba
Will Ben White start for England in their opening World Cup fixture?: No
How many appearances will Gabriel Martinelli make for Brazil at the World Cup? Five
Which player will Arsenal sign off the back of an impressive World Cup?: Youri Tielemans
Which Arsenal player will be eliminated from the World Cup first?: Takehiro Tomiyasu
Which Arsenal player(s) will win the World Cup?: None, Argentina to win
Sam Truelove – Arsenal Content Editor
Which Arsenal player will score the most goals at the World Cup?: Bukayo Saka. He could have a big tournament.
Who will be the standout Arsenal player at the World Cup?: William Saliba. He should start for France and I expect Les Bleus to go far.
Will Ben White start for England in their opening World Cup fixture?: Yes. Potentially as part of a back five at right centre-back.
How many appearances will Gabriel Martinelli make for Brazil at the World Cup?: Three. Mostly as an impact sub.
Which player will Arsenal sign off the back of an impressive World Cup?: Moises Caicedo. Arsenal need a centre midfielder and the Ecuador star could be the man.
Which Arsenal player will be eliminated from the World Cup first?: Thomas Partey. Group H is too strong for Ghana.
Which Arsenal player(s) will win the World Cup?: Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.