There may be very little action happening at London Colney at the moment, but we’ve been treated to some excellent performances from our boys at the Euro’s.
The Gunners have got ten players representing the club out in France, which hasn’t thrown up an outright winner from the opening two fixtures yet.
Following Olivier Giroud’s glancing header to kick off the tournament, there’s been plenty of action for our boys as they aim to make it through to the knockout stages.
Fresh Arsenal have picked through the second round ties to see how the players have been performing, including a closer look at the stats for the tournament so far.
Olivier Giroud (France)
- Result: 2-0 win over Albania
- Goals in tournament: 1
- Assists in tournament: 0
- Minutes played: 77
- Next game: Switzerland (Sunday 19th June, 8pm)
It’s been a mixed array of feelings for the 29-year-old as his country steam ahead in the group stages thanks to the noise of their home supporters seeing them through to very late goals.
Didier Deschamps was pressured to make a big call in the opening game but instead left Giroud on to get the opener, however this time he wasn’t so patient.
The Frenchman was substituted in the 77th minute to give life to the final third, and a bold move once again paid off as Antoine Griezmann netted the winner. Giroud has eight shots so far, with just six of them hitting the target.
Laurent Koscielny (France)
- Result: 2-0 win over Albania
- Goals in tournament: 0
- Clean sheets in tournament: 1
- Minutes played: 90
- Next game: Switzerland (Sunday 19th June, 8pm)
Another steady and fairly comfortable evening for Koscielny and his defence as they weren’t really tested by Albania in terms of shots on target.
Koscielny will have his eyes set firmly on the next game against Switzerland, because a strong defensive performance should get them on a roll for the knockout stages.
A point for Deschamps side will confirm them as leaders of Group A and as a result will land them with a clear path to make the quarter finals against a third placed side.
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
- Result: 1-1 draw with Romania
- Goals in tournament: 0
- MOTM in tournament: 2
- Minutes played: 90
- Next game: France (Sunday 19th June, 8pm)
If you want to make a good impression for those fans that haven’t heard of your before, then the Euro’s are a pretty good way to do it.
Xhaka has put in two man of the match performances whilst helping his country rack up four points to go in as strong second favourites to make it out of Group A and in to the knockout stages.
With the prospect of meeting up with his new teammates coming after the competition, Xhaka has certainly made a name for himself and the likes of Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny should start to get ready for some serious competition.
Aaron Ramsey (Wales)
- Result: 2-1 loss to England
- Goals in tournament: 0
- Assists in tournament: 1
- Minutes played: 90
- Next game: Russia (Monday 20th June, 8pm)
There won’t have been many Arsenal fans that missed this one, whether they were at work or skived the day off this was England v Wales, and more importantly, Arsenal v Spurs.
Despite his heroics to leave Wales as winners in game one, Ramsey struggled to get a hold of the play as his side played with backs to the wall as England pressured for the majority of the game.
His country are still in with a very good chance to progress from Group B with an unpredictable tie coming up against Russia, a point is all they need so Ramsey will have to be at his best.
Jack Wilshere (England)
- Result: 2-1 win over Wales
- Goals in tournament: 0
- Assists in tournament: 0
- Minutes played: 0
- Next game: Slovakia (Monday 20th June, 8pm)
Wilshere was an unused substitute as England pushed hard for a late victory over their home nations rivals, with Dele Alli once again performing to a high standard in that midfield position.
However, Roy Hodgson may look to refresh the squad with some radical changes across the park, with Wilshere hopeful of coming in for either Raheem Sterling or Wayne Rooney who need a rest.
Questions have been raised over his fitness doubting the ability to get a run of games in, but the positive outlook is that Wilshere hasn’t picked up any injuries and will hopefully be ready to start the 2016/17 campaign in style for his Gunners.
Wojciech Szczesny (Poland)
- Result: 0-0 draw with Germany
- Minutes played: 0
- Clean sheets in tournament: 1
- Next game: Ukraine (Turesday 21st June, 5pm)
It was a disappointing moment for the shot-stopper who has picked up a serious injury on his groin/thigh following a training session with the Poles.
Former Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski stepped in between the sticks as they held off the heavyweight names that Germany have to offer in this tournament.
Szczesny posted recently on his Instagram profile that despite the injury he is working hard to recover in time, possibly for a Euro’s game but most definitely before he signs a loan deal with Roma.
Mesut Ozil (Germany)
- Result: 0-0 draw with Poland
- Goals in tournament: 0
- Assists in tournament: 1
- Minutes played: 90
- Next game: Northern Ireland (Tuesday 21st June, 5pm)
It was a frustrating evening for both Ozil and Germany as they failed to put in a good enough shift to get past their rivals Poland secure confirmation that they’re through to the knockout stages.
The Germans have now got four points from two games and the lowly Northern Ireland await them in search of all three points to stand a chance of making it through.
Ozil has been a prolific star for club and country over the last few years and this tournament has proven to some of his doubters that he is capable of leading a squad to success.
Petr Cech (Czech Republic)
- Result: 2-2 draw with Croatia
- Clean sheets in tournament: 0
- Minutes played: 90
- Next game: Turkey (Tuesday 21st June, 8pm)
Another game in the tournament that was remembered for all the wrong reasons as trouble in the crowd once again stole the headlines, with flares and fireworks being thrown onto the pitch.
Before the incident Cech’s side were looking to be packing their bags, but following a ten minute pause in the game, Croatia lost their heads and conceded a silly penalty.
Cech once again showed that he’s a great leader no matter what the situation, and picked up both sets of players to ensure they were safe during the actions of what Croatia’s manager described the troublemakers as ‘sporting terrorists’.
Thomas Rosicky (Czech Republic)
- Result: 2-2 draw with Croatia
- Assists in the tournament: 1
- Goals in the tournament: 0
- Minutes played: 90
- Next game: Turkey (Tuesday 21st June, 8pm)
Mixed results for the departing Rosicky who once again picked up an assist to level the scoring and rescue his country, but in the process suffered yet another injury.
The Czech Republic captain looked to pull his hamstring whilst running freely with the ball, at first it appeared to be cramp but on later inspection the midfielder announced the seriousness.
Rosicky is now facing an uphill battle to make it to another game in the Euro’s, and that could well be his last appearance in a major tournament at international level.
Hector Bellerin (Spain)
- Result: 3-0 win over Turkey
- Minutes played: 0
- Next game: Croatia (Tuesday 21st June, 8pm)
Bellerin was once again an unused substitute but that won’t faze the youngster at all, he’ll simply be overcome with joy to be out soaking up the atmosphere.
The right-back looks certain to once again make it through the campaign as Arsenal’s first choice, with the possible return of Carl Jenkinson adding pressure on his position.
Any chance of the defender making an appearance at the Euro’s could possibly come in their next tie, with the Spaniards already qualified in the group.
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