Arsenal's Park Chu-Young given World Cup lifeline

Unsettled Arsenal forward Park Chu-Young has been given a fresh chance to earn a place in South Korea’s World Cup squad.

The 28-year-old has failed to force his way into Arsene Wenger’s first-team since his arrival from Monaco in 2011 and has been sent on loan to Champions outfit Watford for the remainder of the campaign in the pursuit of regular football.

But he is yet to make a significant impression at Giuseppe Sannino’s side either and looked destined to miss out on the opportunity to represent his homeland in Brazil later this year.

However, South Korea boss Hong Myung-bo has given his former captain the opportunity to win a spot in his squad after naming the attacker in his team that is due to take on Greece in a friendly in early March.

Hong admitted it could be his “last chance” to see Park in action such is his lack of playing time and declared, “I agonised over this decision. I spoke to him on the phone a few times. Though he’s not playing at the moment, I figured that he is still in decent form.”

With 23 goals in 61 international, Park brings a wealth of experience to his national side, but his confidence is rock bottom having been snubbed by Wenger for so long.