Tonight sees the first of the Euro 2016 quarter-finals and there is just one Arsenal player who could be involved, although Sky Sports are reporting that this is unlikely as Wojciech Szvzesny is still not fully fit after picking up a thigh injury in training after the first group game.
You have to feel sorry for the Arsenal and Poland international keeper, even if he has not been an active member of the Arsenal set up for about a year after being sent to Italy to play on loan in Serie A for Roma last season. What that actually meant for him, though, was that he was able to prove his worth and cement his place at the top of the pecking order for the Polish side after playing 42 times for the Italian club. Szczesny must have been relishing the chance.
Just like other Arsenal stars like Walcott, Wilshere, Welbeck and Chamberlain, the keeper’s international career has been dogged by misfortune and it looks like this tournament will be no different. Four years ago he was also the first choice for Poland but after being sent off in his first game of Euro 2012 he never featured again and Poland who were co hosts finished bottom of the group.
At least this time Szczesny’s bad luck has not affected his team and there is still a chance that he will play again if his thigh is okay. Poland play a pretty poor and so far lucky Portugal this evening and if they play as they have been doing they have a great chance of the semis.
If Szczesny does not play it will be the former Arsenal man Fabianski up against Ronaldo and co, so good luck to these two Arsenal connected players and their team mates.
Bob.