The only Gunner to be involved in either of the two squads is Santi Cazorla, however, Vincente Del Bosque decided he would play no part in Spain's opening group B game against the Netherlands, leaving him as an unused substitute as Spain were obliterated 5-1 by the Oranje.
La Roja opened the scoring through a Xabi Alonso penalty, after Costa was dubiously tripped inside the box by Stefan de Vrij. However, this did not make the Netherlands go into low spirits. They proceeded to equalise just before half-time in stunning fashion through former Gunner - Robin van Persie. The Manchester United striker lept to meet Daley Blind's cross, and did so impeccably, with the ball looping over the head of Iker Casillas - a rumoured Arsenal target.
On 72 minutes, van Persie grabbed the Netherland's fourth goal, after a Casillas error allowed the potent striker to cooly slot home. This wrapped up the captain's night as he was substituted to a standing ovation from the crowd on 79 minutes.
Cesc Fabregas, another former Arsenal captain, started on the bench for the Spanish, Del Bosque introduced the new Chelsea signing with about 10 minutes to go, however it was too little, too late as Fabregas failed to make any real impact to a depleted team that looked tired after six years of tiki-taka.
Rumoured transfer target, Pedro also came on from the substitutes bench with a half-hour to go. He added some much needed pace to the Spanish front line and created some good opportunities for players such as Torres, but it just wasn't their night as the striker did what he is most famous for and scuffed an easy opportunity. Although he showed that he could be a very dangerous player both in this World Cup and in the Premier League.
Furthermore, former Manchester City midfielder and rumoured Arsenal target Nigel de Jong played the full 90 minutes for the Netherlands. The AC Milan midfielder had a fairly quiet game, while still adequately doing his job. He finished with 3/3 tackles won, an 80% pass completion rate, one block, two interceptions and, rather surprisingly, only one foul which escaped a booking.
With this heavy defeat, Del Bosque will be certain to reevaluate his starting XI, which means that Arsenal favourite, Santi Cazorla, could land more game-time in a must win game against Chile on Wednesday, meanwhile the Netherlands will look to carry on their impressive form into their game against Australia, which is also on Wednesday.