International Gunner Watch - Dutch v. Danes

Robin van Persie (second left, #9) and the Dutch go ahead 1-0 on a Danish own goal. Pic via Yahoo Sports.

Netherlands 2: Agger 46 (og), Kuyt 85
Denmark 0

For an Arsenal supporter, Group E is the group to keep your eye on during this first round of the World Cup tournament, as three different Gunners appear for three different nations. As such, there'll be no match within this group that won't feature at least one Arsenal player. Today, our first look at an Arsenal v. Arsenal battle, and a battle of forward talent as Robin van Persie's Netherlands played Nicklas Bendtner's Denmark.

Bendtner wasn't really supposed to play in this match and was, in fact, a surprise starter up front for the Danes. He's been nursing a groin injury since the end of the club season, and as far as I'm aware, did not feature in any pre-tournament friendlies for Denmark. Bendtner had one of Denmark's best chances of the first half, heading a cross just wide of the post, though in the process, he failed to notice a wide open teammate (who I believe was Thomas Enevoldsen) standing on the six yard line. Bendtner, still perhaps hampered by injury, was substituted off while the Danes trailed 1-0 just after the hour mark.

While Bendtner may have had the first chance for a Gunner in this match, it was Robin van Persie who dominated at times. His first chance came in the closing minutes of the first half, as he tried to find space in the area, but Liverpool defender Daniel Agger stayed with him and forced him onto his less-preferred right foot; van Persie fired wide.

Van Persie wasted no time in the second half, beating Danish and Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen to a ball on the by-line and crossed to a sea of opposing defenders and only one teammate. But it was defender Simon Poulsen whose headed clearance was poor, it deflected off the back of Agger and into the goal to give Holland the lead. Despite last touching Agger, Poulsen was originally given credit for the dreaded O.G. FIFA eventually changed the crediting to Agger after the match.

Three minutes later, van Persie was booked for a late challenge, then could have received a second yellow card near the hour mark when he took a shot on goal despite play already being whistled down for offside. A Danish player tried to talk the referee into pulling out a card, but at least van Persie had a good excuse, as he pointed to his ear as if to say, "I couldn't hear the whistle over the swarms of killer bees in the stands." I don't blame him.

Van Persie was taken out in the 77th with the Dutch still leading 1-0. Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt sealed the three points, banging in a rebound that Eljero Elia had sent off the far post in the 85th. Ibrahim Affelay nearly had a third in the 87th, but Poulsen, with an own goal already in the match, acrobatically cleared the ball off the line.

Stay tuned later today as Alex Song's Cameroon takes on Japan.