Poland: Three to watch

Wojciech Szczesny

Undoubtedly one of the most recognisable Polish names to most readers’ eyes, Wojciech Szczesny has been not just manning the posts for his country but also for Arsenal.

The Warsaw-born shot-stopper joined the London club in 2006 from Legia Warsaw, and has already spoken out of his desire to see out his career at the Emirates, despite being just 22 years old.

However Szczesny has not featured for his Poland since Euro 2012, when he was sent off in the opening group game against Greece, and did not feature again for the rest of the tournament.

He started 2012/13 off very strongly, putting in some really stellar performances for an Arsenal team that were leaking very little goals and looking nigh impregnable at the back.

He soon suffered an injury that kept him out for a few weeks however, and his absence coincided with the Gunners’ rather noticeable dip in form as well as lack of clean sheets.

Since his return between the posts he hasn’t quite been the same player, and errors have crept in. This still doesn’t make him any less a daunting prospect for new boy Conor Sammon, though.

Jakub Blaszczykowski

A lot of Europe only woke up to Jakub Blaszczykowski’s talent on the opening day of Euro 2012, when the Polish wide-man struck a stunning long-range effort into the back of the net against Greece.

The reality is however that ‘Kuba’ has been starring for Poland and Borussia Dortmund for years. The Polish captain has feet that are even trickier than his name is to pronounce, works hard for his team and has an eye for a pass – something that could potentially cause a lot of problems come 7.45pm tomorrow.

Blaszczykowski is predominately a winger, but can do an adequate job in the centre of midfield or even at right-back should he be required to.

He has featured for Poland at every level since U19, including U21, the B team, and finally the senior national team, with whom he has racked up 57 caps since 2007 – which was also the year he joined Borussia Dortmund from Wisla Krakow.

Injury has meant that the 27 year-old has made only 15 league appearances for Dortmund in 2012/13, although he is now returning to full fitness and has chipped in with an impressive eight goals and four assists so far this campaign.

Robert Lewandowski

Of all the Polish players, Robert Lewandowski is arguably the most important, and certainly the most prolific in front of goal

The Borussia Dortmund striker is a wanted man around Europe, with many big names – including Manchester United – strongly rumoured to be taking a close look at him. He stands at six feet tall, but is just as adept at finishing on the ground as he is in the air.

Lewandowski joined Dortmund in 2010, and has since become one of the key players in the club’s back-to-back Bundesliga titles, scoring an impressive 42 goals in 85 appearances.