Continuing our alphabetical world tour, next up is Lithuania. According to the Premier League website, just two players have represented Lithuania in the Premier League, amassing just three appearances between them. Despite the absence of a long Premier League career, one of those two went on to be Lithuania’s all-time top scorer.
First Player – Tomas Danilevičius (Arsenal; 2000-01)
While the early 2000s was a good period to be an Arsenal fan, it was not an ideal period to be a young, fringe Arsenal striker. After joining in the summer of 2000, Tomas Danilevičius soon discovered that if he were to get significant game time, he would have to usurp one or more of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Sylvain Wiltord and Nwankwo Kanu.
A tall order indeed, and more than an explanation for why the promising 22-year-old striker would make just two substitute league appearances in a solitary season in England.
Much of the remainder of Danilevičius’ club career would be spent in Serie B, suggesting that he perhaps would not have featured much for Arsenal, even if they didn’t have such a plethora of attacking options. Nonetheless, he went on to become Lithuania’s record goalscorer, with 19 goals.
Records
- Most appearances – Tomas Danilevičius (2)
- First appearance – Tomas Danilevičius (ARSENAL 2-2 Sunderland, December 30th 2000)
- Most goals – N/A
- First goal – N/A
Other Players
One for Watford fans with good memories, goalkeeper Giedrius Arlauskis replaced the injured Heurelho Gomes in the second half of a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in 2015/16; his only league appearance for the Hornets.
Trivia
- Tomas Danilevičius is Lithuania’s all-time top scorer (19 goals) and fourth highest appearance maker (71 caps).
- Giedrius Arlauskis has won the Romanian Liga I with three different clubs (Unirea Urziceni, Steaua Bucharest, and CFR Cluj).
- Tomas Danilevičius is the current President of the Lithuanian football association.
