Arsenal Euro Watch: Szczesny Sees Red, Arshavin Outshines Rosicky

There was always going to be an inordinate amount of pressure heaped upon Wojciech Szczesny heading into his first competitive match in goal for Poland.

While the young Pole had featured for the national side since November 2009, and had become the unequivocal No. 1 after his string of fine performances for Arsenal since the middle of the 2010-'11 season, this was an entirely different world he was stepping into.

It's difficult to remember he's just 22 years old sometimes.

But that tender age was on full display Friday, when Szczesny's poor clearance allowed 10-man Greece to level the proceedings at 1-1. Minutes later, Szczesny was given his marching orders (straight red card) for tripping Greece substitute Dimitrios Salpingidis (who'd scored that first goal).

Szczesny will not only miss Poland's next match, but he had to watch his replacement—Przemyslaw Tyton—make himself the hero for saving the subsequent penalty kick and thus salvaging a point for the co-hosts.

Considering that Poland's next match comes against Russia, who wowed viewer and pundit alike with their enthralling 4-1 attacking concerto against the Czech Republic, Szczesny's absence could make for a brief Championships for his national side.

Speaking of that Russia match, the Andrei Arshavin display Friday night was eerily reminiscent of the man who'd swashbuckled his way through Euro 2008, leading his national team on a surprise run to the semifinals.

This was a man in full form; brimming with industry and seeping technical quality. According to David Wall of statistical gurus OptaJean, Arshavin created seven shots for Russia in the match (including two of the four goals). He only ever managed four while with Arsenal last season (Arshavin was loaned out to Zenit St. Petersburg in February).

Arsenal's first-choice attacking midfielder during Arshavin's loan stint, Tomas Rosicky, was completely outshone by his teammate.

Rosicky had been struggling with a calf injury following the end of the Premier League season, and only resumed training four days ago. It showed, as the Czech man affectionately known as "the little Mozart" was far off the pace for most of the match.

Arshavin looked more the maestro, as his wonderful first-half assist—which squeezed through the Czech defense perfectly before Roman Shirokov's finish—attested.

As if to make matters worse, Arshavin had every right to feel chagrined that he did not earn a penalty in the first half, when Jaroslav Plasil bundled him over in the penalty area.