Szczesny to miss Poland friendlies

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has pulled out of Poland’s squad to face South Korea and Belarus with a back injury.

The 21-year-old played in the 2-1 defeat to bitter rivals Tottenham on Sunday, but has been one of the Gunners’ better performers this season.

The Polish Football Association have on their website that Szczesny had pulled out of the squad with a back injury and has been replaced in the team by Genk’s Grzegorz Sandomierski.

Poland are travelling to play South Korea on Friday before another friendly away game against Belarus next Tuesday.

Franciszek Smuda’s side automatically qualify for Euro 2012 as co-hosts, along with Ukraine.

Arsenal’s next game will be on October 16 against Sunderland, and Arsene Wenger will be hoping to have Szczesny back, with Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen, Johan Djourou, Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere all on the injury list.