There were mixed fortunes for Arsenal players at the Euros yesterday as Wales and Switzerland played their knock-out round games.
Aaron Ramsey played a part in the Welsh goal, a Helbian pre-assist for Gareth Bale whose cross was turned into his own net by Gareth McAuley. Even a late keeper-up-for-a-corner threat couldn’t see Northern Ireland get the equaliser they needed, meaning Chris Coleman’s side advance to the quarter-finals.
Before that though, Xherdan Shaqiri’s fantastic equaliser for Switzerland saw that game go into extra-time after Poland had gone ahead through Jakub Błaszczykowski.
Despite being on top the Swiss couldn’t find a way through, denied a number of times by former Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
The match was decided by a penalty shoot-out and new boy Granit Xhaka’s miss proved decisive. He sliced his effort wide, the only player to miss, sending the Poles through.
It was obviously a heart-breaker for the Arsenal man, but he now goes on his holidays before arriving in London for pre-season training.
Today Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny are in action for France, while Mesut Ozil will take part in Germany’s showdown with Slovakia.
felt sorry for Xhaka, he was probably Switzerland’s best player in the Euros.
On one hand, I’m glad some of the players now can have their end of season holiday.. on the other hand, I know how much this tournament means to themselves.
For the record.. I’m from Asia, so national pride have nothing to do with me for this tournament.
The joy and happiness of non-Arsenal cunts on Xhaka’s missed penalty was absolute cringeworthy
If you have nothing positive to say, don’t say it at all.. I’d like to have seen you try taking a penalty in his position.
The best players in the world have all missed penalties. So head up Granit,You had a great tournament.Loved your game!
Problem is Xhaka will not have good and relaxed vacation. That penalty kick scene will keep running in his mind.
Nah… he will be relishing the opportunity to show his amazing *mental strength*
Pretty poor penalty… missed by a mile and expected better from him but hey shit happens.
Fab had a blinder helped by crap finishing by the Swiss who should have scored in the first minute.
No worries for his penalty miss. I dun really think he will be given penalty duties with us. Plus he already shown that he is the type of player that we lack. Looking forward to his BPL debut
What type of player is that? Just curious as to what you mean.
Vieira type of player that we needed. Granit ticks the physical, mental strength and leadership boxes. Will he boss midfield in the EPL as Vieira did? probably not but he can get close to it.
He is absolutely nothing like Vieira as far as I can see. The player he reminds me of most is Xabi Alonso (which isn’t a bad thing, even though people have obviously inferred that’s what I’m saying by asking a question). What I don’t see is someone that wants to defend (which is why I thought we were supposedly signing him). I can’t see him working with Santi and if they play together, Ramsey will have to do loads of defensive work (which he doesn’t seem prepared to do for us). If Xhaka is to play, I’d like to see… Read more »
Xhaka was good in the tournament, but yeah, very poor penalty. Hope it doesn’t show a lack of mental strength, we don’t need another overpriced choker like Ozil in the team.
Ozil is mentally fragile in my opinion but calling our main provider overpriced is a gigantic exagerration
I’m sorry to say but watching France v Ireland giroud is being a complete butt hole and is an embarrassment!!!
Then suddenly from nowhere, he creates the second goal. And France leads! Too quick to judge huh!
I wasn’t talking about his performance but his petulant attitude – something I associate with a nump like Ronaldo not Giroud!!!
I don’t know man, I don’t know who to believe anymore. Spurs fans keep calling him a “bottler”. I mean if there is an authority on bottling, it must be the spurs no?
Don’t kid yourself.
Reckon thats half the reason AW bought Xhaka, a vocal guy with cajones.
Otherwise with Flamini gone it wouldbe just been Per
Pretty sure we didn’t sign him to be the teams penalty taker anyway, so I’m not bothered by it.
Remedial lessons after Euros for Arsenal players to take penalties please Wenger.:D
We don’t get many of them anyway.