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World Cup semi-finals: Eight Gunners eying glory

After 100 matches, we're down to just four teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and there's still plenty of Arsenal interest remaining in North America.

The stage is set in Dallas for the first semi-final, with France taking on Spain on Tuesday, July 14, before all eyes turn to Atlanta, where England will face Argentina on Wednesday, July 15. 

A total of eight Gunners are still involved and with at least one guaranteed to reach the final, will any of our current crop add their names to the list of World Cup winners?

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CAN MERINO DO IT AGAIN?

Mikel Merino is renowned for coming up clutch in an Arsenal jersey, and he's been doing the same for his national team at this World Cup.

Our midfielder came on during the round of 16 against Portugal to devastating effect, slotting home the winner in stoppage time to send Spain through to the last eight.

Merino then repeated the trick against Leandro Trossard's Belgium, pouncing on a Senne Lammens spill to smash home the winner in a 2-1 victory.

The 30-year-old has featured in all of Spain's six matches so far and will be looking to keep that run up. Martin Zubimendi and David Raya are yet to make their World Cup bow with two matches remaining for La Roja.

Merino knows how to find the net against France, scoring in a remarkable 5-4 victory over Les Bleus in the UEFA Nations League semi-final in Stuttgart.

The trio will be hoping to join Cesc Fabregas, who played for us while helping Spain go all the way to win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Read more Watch our new Mikel Merino documentary

WILO'S DEFENSIVE RECORD

While Spain are currently on a record-equalling 36-game unbeaten run, they're coming up against the current tournament favourites, France.

William Saliba has been at the heart of the French backline at the World Cup, with Les Bleus conceding just once when our centre-back has been on the field, coming against Senegal in their first match.

Wilo was a rock at the back during France's run to the last four, keeping clean sheets against Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco to set up a match against Spain in Arlington.

Our centre-back will be out for revenge in the semi-final, having played in the 2-1 defeat against Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-final in Germany.

The game will kick off at 8pm UK time, with ITV as the match broadcaster.

Read more Quiz: Name our 18 France international stars

LIONS LOOKING TO MAKE HISTORY

It's been 60 years since England last featured in a World Cup final, but that could all change on Wednesday as the Three Lions take on Argentina in Atlanta.

Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze have all featured during England's run to the final four thus far. 

The quartet all played in the 2-1 victory over Norway in the quarter-final, with Rice and Madueke starting before being replaced by Saka and Eze in Miami.

Bukayo has provided three assists during Thomas Tuchel's side's campaign, including setting up Jude Bellingham in the 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca.

England faces its biggest test yet in the last four, facing defending champions Argentina. 

The last time the sides met in the World Cup game back in 2002, three of our Gunners, David Seaman, Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell, all started in a 1-0 victory in Sapporo, Japan.

This match will kick off at 8pm UK time, and will be broadcast on BBC One.

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