Three Arsenal players appeared in England's 3-2 win over Slovenia, but it was Jack Wilshere who stole the show after scoring two great goals. Gibbs and Walcott also played as England took another step to securing qualification for Euro 2016.
England started brightly, with Raheem Sterling having some good early chances. England were playing good attacking football and looked the more likely team to score. It was Slovenia who took the lead against the run of play late in the first-half through veteran striker Novakovic, who plays his trade at Arsene Wenger's former club Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan. England started the second half quite shakily, but Wilshere's first international goal levelled the score line in the 57th minute. The goal was a powerful, left footed, first time strike from the edge of the box that Slovenia, and Inter Milan, goalkeeper Handanovic couldn't stop.
Less than 15 minutes later, Wilshere had scored his second England goal with a strike that could be seen as even better than the first. It was another powerful, left footed shot from outside the box, but this one curled straight into the top corner. Seven minutes from time ex-Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Pecnic scored an equaliser for Slovenia but two minutes later Wayne Rooney scored his 48th England goal to win it for the Three Lions. England have now gone the entire 2014-15 season unbeaten, the first time they have gone a whole season unbeaten in nearly 20 years.
Wilshere's stunning performance overshadowed the likes of Gibbs and Walcott
Jack Wilshere was the star performer for England in Slovenia, and has been seen by many as Man of the Match. He was deployed again in the most defensive role of England's midfield three and was good in that role. He made some good challenges as his passing was also good. Unlike other holding midfielders, Wilshere wasn't afraid to venture forward and is two goals were proof of this. Both of his goals were amazing strikes and they showed the quality that he has.
Jack Wilshere's performance seemed to have over shadowed the other performances of his fellow Arsenal players who also played. Kieran Gibbs started with Wilshere and had a strong attacking performance. He created some great build up play down the left side and played well with Raheem Sterling on the wing. Gibbs had a great first-half, but was more muted in the second half as many of England's attacks came down the right wing. Gibbs could be seen at fault for both goals, but more so for Slovenia's equaliser. Gibbs could have defended Pecnic's header better but that shouldn't take anything away from the great header itself.
Theo Walcott was the third Arsenal player to appear for England in Slovenia. Walcott, who scored four goals in his last two games for Arsenal, was tipped to start the match but Tottenham Hotspur's Andros Townsend was preferred in the right wing role. After coming on in the 73rd minute Walcott made some good contributions to the side, the best being the one touch pass into the path of Wayne Rooney for the third goal.
Arsenal targets Raheem Sterling and Chris Smalling started the game, with Sterling having the far better game. Sterling was good down the left flank, and performed well with Gibbs. He had chances to score as well, the best being an early chances that he volley just over the bar. Smalling could be seen as partly at fault for Slovenia's first goal as he and Gary Cahill didn't defend the run of Novakovic well.
It was performance to be proud of from the Arsenal contingent in the England squad, with an Arsenal player bring involved in all three goals, ywo goals from Wilshere and an assist from Walcott. The win keeps England top of the qualifying group and gives them a commanding lead of potentially nine points. England don't play again until September, where they can secure their qualification for France 2016 in the games against San Marino and Switzerland.
