Giedrius Arlauskis

Giedrius Arlauskis
Personal information
Date of birth (1987-12-01) 1 December 1987
Place of birth Telšiai, Lithuania
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Watford
Number 34
Youth career
Mastis Telšiai
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007 Šiauliai 40 (0)
2008–2010 Unirea Urziceni 55 (0)
2010–2014 Rubin Kazan 7 (0)
2014–2015 Steaua București 25 (0)
2015– Watford 1 (0)
2016 → Espanyol (loan) 3 (0)
National team‡
2008–2015 Lithuania 23 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:17, 5 February 2017 (UTC).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 October 2015

Giedrius Arlauskis (born 1 December 1987) is a Lithuanian professional footballer who plays for English club Watford as a goalkeeper.

Club career

Early Career in Lithuania and Romania

Born in Telšiai, Arlauskis started his youth career at Mastis Telšiai before moving on to Šiauliai, starting his professional career. In two seasons at Šiauliai, Arlauskis made 34 appearances for the club.

In January 2008 he moved to Romania, joining Unirea Urziceni for €150K, as a replacement for Bogdan Stelea.[1] On 24 March 2008 he made his debut in the League 1, playing 90 minutes in a 0–0 draw against Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț. In his first half of the season at Urinea Urziceni, Arlauskis made four appearance for the club. The 2008–09 season proved to be Arlauskis' breakthrough at Unirea Urziceni and he went on to make 32 appearances in all competitions. At the end of the season, with the club winning the Liga I, Arlauskis was voted as the league's goalkeeper of the season and was listed in the league's 2008–09 Team of the Year.[2]

In 2009–10 season, Arklauskis continued to be the first choice goalkeeper at Unirea Urziceni and played five out of six matches in Champions League Group Stage.[3] However, Arlauskis struggled to maintain a place in the first team, citing injuries[4] and only made 27 appearances for the club.

Rubin Kazan

After making three league appearance for Unirea Urziceni at the start of the season, Arlauskis moved to Russia, joining Rubin Kazan on a four-year contract worth €2 million.[5] Arlauskis was also close to a move to Dynamo Moscow.[6]

Arlauskis made his Rubin Kazan debut on 20 November 2010 in a 2–2 draw against Zenit Saint Petersburg.[7] Arlauskis made his European debut at Rubin Kazan in a 2–0 loss against Twente.[8] In the 2011–12 season, Arlauskis made three league appearances for the club, followed by three appearances for the club in all competitions in the 2012–13 season. Arlauskis was unable to established himself as the first choice goalkeeper and was the second choice goalkeeper behind Sergey Ryzhikov.

At the end of the 2013–14 season, Arlauskis was told by the club that his contract would not be renewed.[9] Upon leaving Rubin Kazan, Arlauskis said he regret joining the club, saying it had been a wrong choice motivated by money.[10]

Steaua București

After four years in Russia, Arlauskis joined Steaua București on 10 June 2014, as a replacement for Ciprian Tătărușanu who had left for Fiorentina.[11] Arlauskis was unveiled at a press conference the next day and was given number twenty-four shirt.[12]

After being named on the team in six matches in the Champions League Qualifying, Arlauskis made his Steaua București debut on 26 July 2014, in a 3–1 win over Rapid București.[13] Arlauskis was in goal for the Champions League Qualification Second Leg against Ludogorets Razgrad. The club lost on penalties after Arlauskis saved one of the seven penalties in the shoot-out, resulting the club playing in the Europa League.[14] In the Eternal derby between Steaua and Dinamo București, Arlauskis was in goal when rival supporters threw a firecracker at him in the 82nd minute. After receiving help from the club's doctor he went on to play the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 victory.[15]

His good display at Steaua București throughout 2014 earned him a Lithuanian Footballer of the Year award.[16] However, Arlauskis rejected a new contract with the club,[17] leading to him being linked with a move to Fiorentina and Roma, as his contract was due to expire at the end of the 2014–15 season.[18] As a result, the club would leave him out of the squad for important matches, including against Rapid București.[19] Despite this, Arlauskis remained the first choice goalkeeper at Steaua București, despite announcing he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.[20]

Arlauskis ended the season with 25 league appearances after being sent-off in the 47th minute of a 3–1 loss against CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu on 3 May 2015.[21] Arlauskis missed the rest of the season because of injury concerns[22] and being on the bench. The club went on to win the Liga I, Cupa României and Cupa Ligii, achieving a treble.[23]

Watford

After one season at Steaua București, Arlauskis joined Watford on a free transfer on 4 June 2015, signing a 4-year contract.[24] Arlauskis made his Watford debut against Preston North End in the League Cup on 25 August 2015.[25] Arlauskis made his league debut on 28 November 2015, replacing the injured Heurelho Gomes in the 67th minute of Watford's 3–2 Premier League win at Aston Villa.

Loan at Espanyol

On 29 January 2016, Arlauskis joined Spanish side Espanyol on a 5 months loan from Watford, with an option to buy, being reunited with his former Steaua manager, Constantin Gâlcă. [26] Arlauskis made his La Liga debut two days later, in a 0–6 defeat to Real Madrid.

National team

Arlauskis made his national team debut as a substitute against Moldova in a friendly game on 19 November 2008. He joined the game in the 46th minute and conceded a goal after 67 minutes as Lithuania drew with Moldova 1–1.

His first competitive game was on 18 June 2010, when Lithuania played a goalless draw with Latvia in the Baltic Cup.

Personal life

Arlauskis brother Davydas is also a footballer.

Other than speaking Lithuanian, Arlauskis speaks Romanian[1] and English.[27]

Growing up in Telšiai, Lithuania, Arlauskis initially played as a defender before being switched to a goalkeeper by his coach.[27] Arlauskis is a keen fisherman, having caught a fish weighing 21.7 kg.[28]

Career statistics

As of 5 February 2017[29][30]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Šiauliai 2005 A Lyga 8000000080
2006 A Lyga 130000000130
2007 A Lyga 190000000190
Total 400000000400
Unirea Urziceni 2007–08 Liga I 4000000040
2008–09 Liga I 300000010310
2009–10 Liga I 180000070250
2010–11 Liga I 3000003060
Total 5500000110660
Rubin Kazan 2010 Russian Premier League 2000001030
2011–12 Russian Premier League 3000002050
2012–13 Russian Premier League 2000001030
2013–14 Russian Premier League 0010004050
Total 70100080160
Steaua București 2014–15 Liga I 2501010120390
Watford 2015–16 Premier League 1000100020
2016–17 Premier League 0000000000
Total 1000100020
Espanyol (loan) 2015–16 La Liga 3000000030
Career total 131020203101660

References

  1. 1 2 "Blestemul lui Arlauskis! "Le doresc celor de la Unirea să ajungă în Liga a V-a!"" (in Romanian). ProSport.ro. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "Echipa campionatului 2008–2009!" (in Romanian). ProSport.ro. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "FACTFILE: Giedrius Arlauskis". Watford F.C. 5 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Nemţii le-au umplut infirmeria! Rusescu stă o lună, iar Arlauskis două săptămâni" (in Romanian). Pro Sport.ro. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Rubin verstärkt sich mit Arlauskis" (in German). UEFA Official Website. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Arlauskis se duce la Dinamo!" (in Romanian). Pro Sport.ro. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  7. ↑ Зонин: Арлаускис и Бородин хорошо проявили себя (in Russian). Championat.com. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Рубин" сначала согрелся, а потом замёрз (in Russian). Championat.com. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  9. ↑ Шаронов и Арлаускис покинут "Рубин" (in Russian). Championat.com. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  10. ↑ Арлаускис: в "Рубин" я переходил из-за денег, и это был неправильный выбор (in Russian). Championat.com. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  11. ↑ "Liga 1 OFICIAL – Arlauskis a semnat cu Steaua. Jucătorul va fi prezentat miercuri" (in Romanian). Pro Sport.ro. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  12. ↑ "Arlauskis, pregătit pentru viaţa în Ghencea: "Îmi place presiunea, mă motivează"" (in Romanian). Pro Sport.ro. 11 June 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  13. ↑ "Gâlcă, victima zgârceniei lui Becali. Un minus de 1,75 milioane de euro şi cinci jucători mai puţin, "cadoul" de instalare pentru antrenor" (in Romanian). Pro Sport.ro. 27 July 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  14. ↑ "Joy for Ludogorets after Moţi heroics". UEFA Official Website. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  15. ↑ Арлаускиса оглушила брошенная на поле петарда в матче "Стяуа" — "Динамо" (in Russian). Championat.com. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  16. ↑ Арлаускис: в "Рубине" у меня были лишь шансики, но я ни о чём не жалею (in Russian). Championat.com. 17 January 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  17. ↑ "Motivul pentru care Arlauskis refuză prelungirea contractului cu Steaua: a semnat cu Udinese" (in Romanian). Pro Sport.ro. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  18. ↑ "Фиорентине" и "Роме" интересен бывший вратарь "Рубина" Арлаускис (in Russian). Championat.com. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  19. ↑ "Şi Arlauskis a recunoscut că Reghecampf "dă târcoale": "Pune mare presiune pe Gâlcă". Lituanianul a explicat în presa din ţara sa de ce nu vrea să semneze prelungirea contractului" (in Romanian). Pro Sport.ro. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  20. ↑ "OFICIAL – Arlauskis pleacă din vară. Impresarul portarului: "Dacă va fi nevoie de el, va apăra. Fără să se menajeze"" (in Romanian). ProSport.ro. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  21. ↑ "Gâlcă va avea cel puţin trei jucători noi în echipa de start pentru meciul Stelei la Braşov" (in Romanian). ProSport.ro. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  22. ↑ "FOTO – Atacat cu torţe de galeria dinamovistă, Arlauskis a ieşit de pe teren. Cristi Balaj a întrerupt derby-ul pentru mai bine de 15 minute" (in Romanian). ProSport. ro. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  23. ↑ "Стяуа" в третий раз подряд стал чемпионом Румынии (in Russian). Championat.com. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  24. ↑ "OFFICIAL: Giedrius Arlauskis Signs". Watford F.C. 4 June 2015. Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  25. ↑ "Preston 1–0 Watford". BBC Sport. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  26. ↑ "Espanyol loan Watford 'keeper Arlauskis". 29 January 2016.
  27. 1 2 Молодой и уверенный Арлаускис (in Russian). UEFA Official Website. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  28. ↑ Арлаускис поймал рыбу весом 21,7 кг (in Russian). Championat.com. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  29. ↑ "G. ARLAUSKIS". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  30. ↑ "Arlauskis, Giedrius". National-Football-Teams. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
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