It was an uneventful day for Arsenal’s representatives at the u21 European Championships as only one player out of three featured for their respective countries in Group A action on the opening day.

Sweden 0-0 England

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyPIh-Gri7I

Calum Chambers started alongside Swansea’s Alfie Mawson as Aidy Boothroyd’s centre-back pairing against Sweden. Rob Holding was a substitute and didn’t feature.

Chambers was unsurprisingly solid at the back, making a number of important interceptions and tackles when Sweden broke quickly near the final third.

His positioning in-line with defensive team-mates could’ve been sharper though, as England were almost caught out on a few occasions when probing passes split the backline as the defence backpedalled towards goal.

Everton’s new £30m acquisition Jordan Pickford and the woodwork came to England’s rescue on a few occasions, whilst they had a few opportunities themselves to break the deadlock.

However, they’ve had to settle for a goalless draw. They will now focus on their next fixture against Slovakia on Monday evening.

Poland 1-2 Slovakia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGdmEmPwFHk

Tournament hosts Poland were defeated 2-1 by Slovakia in the day’s late kick-off.

Having opened the scoring after just a minute through attacking midfielder, Patryk Lipski, it was a dream start for the hosts but in the end they were beaten by the better side.

Fired up to right their early wrongs after Lipski’s early opener, goals from Martin Valjent and substitute, Pavol Safranko, helped Slovakia prevail and earn the group’s first three points.

Krystian Bielik was an unused substitute for Poland and would’ve been annoyed to have seen his side lose especially having taken the lead so early on.

Jan Bednarek and Jaroslaw Jach started as the hosts’ pairing in central defence but Bielik will be hoping that manager Marcin Dorna gives him an opportunity to impress next time.