Wojciech Szczęsny will be Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper in the future, according to Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. The Poland international has completed his spell with League One Brentford, and will now go into contention for the number one jersey in pre-season.
Szczęsny won critical acclaim during his spell with the Brentford, in which his arrival coincided with some unbelievable form. A selection of saves, including penalty stops cemented his reputation as not only one of the best goalkeepers the Bees had ever had, but it added substance to the quote from Wenger that “with Wojciech, when you think it’s a goal, it’s still not a goal”.
The video below documents exactly why the 20-year-old is so highly rated and features most of his saves whilst in League One. Some of them have to seen to be believed.
Jamie I think Szczesny is definitely our best prospect. If he likes it here, we could have a top, top class goalie for like 15 years which is unbelievable.
He’s pure class! I really hope he gets to play for a Premier League side next season so he’ll gain some experience. And I also hope that we buy a temporary keeper who is not as crappy as Average Al and Flappyhandski. Gianlugi Buffon would’ve been fantastic.
Has he improved at crosses whilst at Brentford? I always thought that was he biggest weakness.
james mate u clearly havent seen szczensy then his MAIN STRENGTH IS COMING FOR CROSSES, BALLS INTO THE BOX. Hes is really brave one of the bravest goalies i have seen and hes 6ft 5 and is reflex speeds are amazing for a guy of that size
Really would like to see him get a chance in goal! I know he’s young & all but still!! Some of the save he makes are ridiculous! I love the way he recovers after he makes a save! Always ready for the next shot!!! If you’re not going to buy another keeper, give him a go Arsene! Can’t be any worse than what we have already!
wow. this reel is unbelievable. he just no right to make some of them saves. why on earth are we crying out for a goalkeeper when we have one of the best young goalkeepers in the world out on loan. i find the best part of this video to be that these saves were all made in half in season. not his entire career. put him in the team wenger. what do u have to lose
wooooooooooooooooooooooo
INCREDIBLEEEEEE
that kid is the best golkeeper i have ever seenn befoore
He is an awesome keeper, we can definitely mark him as being a future number one. What i have noticed is, he is very eccentric and makes his saves look a lot better than they actually are, despite that i still think we have a quality keeper on our hands. Number one for next season?
Completely agree with you. He’s quality – got great positioning, gets up quickly, is brave, has great reflexes and is tall and a superb shot stopper. To me though, he needs to work on CATCHING the ball – some of those saves were very catchable and, while I prefer that he be safe rather than sorry, I think particularly on crosses and shots right at him (even with a slight bounce) catching it would be the better option. I also haven’t seen any footage of his distribution ability, anyone know anything about his ability to start attacks (we are the Arsenal after all)? Despite these small niggling things which will doubtless come with another year or two of maturity, I think he looks top class – put him in ASAP.
His style reminds me a lot of cech. So switched on and alert, and he moves almost mechanically. This clip only strengthens my belief that we have the next lloris/akinfaev/casillas/buffon in terms of someone able to be a top level keeper at a young age.
He needs to be given a chance in the 1st team to ensure he can handle the pressure, but Id be shocked if he couldnt to be honest.
That is worth a “holy shit”. I’ve seen some of those saves before, but some of them I haven’t. If he keeps the showmanship down, he’ll be a GREAT, GREAT KEEPER!!! :D
no doubt he looks the business! can’t wait to have him, but as youtube video’s go.. arguably this looks as impressive..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwxdfm2CA8U
In the 08/09 season, Almunia was voted our third best player by the fans on the official website. Remember the “Almunia for England” talk? He’s not the clown that everybody makes him out to be.
he’s a good keeper but cmon he’s not one of the best in europe and we need a better quality keeper
united got van der sar
chelsea got cech
pool got reina
city got GIven (who we really should have gone for)
and ALMUNIA really isnt in the same league If SZCHESNY WAS READY NOW THEN HE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN AWESOME NO.2
Almunia NO.2 I mean
Almunia is not world-class and I never said he was. But he’s also not the shambling liability that some people have made him out to be. He’s had a poor season (as have Clichy, Sagna, Denilson, and plenty of others) but who’s to say he won’t return to his 08/09 form when he was highly praised?
What this clip shows us is he has excellent reflexes and is a very, very good shot stopper. No doubt he looks good but lets not forget this is in League 1. In the EPL the players are more skillful, faster, stronger. Can he handle crosses? can he distribute well? can he recover from mistakes? can he cope with the pressure of big matches?
I think hes too young to start. Perhaps we should get an old veteran to whom Szczesny will be an understudy for a few years…then when he hits 22/23 start playing him more consistently.
He won’t accept being an understudy and certainly not for two or three years. Not playing regularly would kill his development as well as his hope of playing for Poland at Euro 2012. He’s very ambitious and believes he can do it, so if Wenger doesn’t seem him as ready to be Arsenal’s number one, he’ll stay out on loan.
Dude the ball doesn’t fly any differently in League 1
One thing about goalkeepers is that shop stopping, control of area, and positioning are the same no matter where you play.
The only question is his decision making and whether he can handle the pressure
Arsha Szcensy main strength his is ability to come for crosses and balls into the box. He said hes likes the physical stuff and being clattered by strikers. WHEN HAVE YOU HEARD A GOALKEEPER SAY THAT? The kid is brave, confident, cocky, and hes a character. Reminds me of Jens Lehmann and hes got a bit of peter schmeichel the way he barks and gest angry which sia good thing
He really has got everything for me attitude, mentality and has world class ability
After an amazing start with something like 6 consecutive clean sheets Sczeny was criticized a lot last year for his poor play under crosses. Hopefully he is getting it out of his system on loan. Having a strong character is very important for a goalkeeper, you need to recover quickly, it’s about the next game, it’s about coming back and not feeling sorry for yourself in the current one. He seems to have this which is positive. I remember seeing Mannninger get spanked for 5 against Chelsea in the Coca Cola when we played a team of kids and he was never the same keeper for us.
The comments I read were that they were suprised everytime he let a goal in
Nick Powell from Crewe JS any info on him. What type of player his he? Looks like arsenal might be buying him
Heh, that makes Brentford’s defence look VERY wobbly.
Some amazing saves there and some definite ‘how the fuck?’ moments. I still think there was a few he could have collected that he didn’t and a couple he got lucky on with positioning but that is something that will hopefully come with age. I know it sounds picky but Goakeeper is the position you have to be picky with. I think another season (maybe 2) on loan will do him good, then challenging to be our number 1 for the next decade
BTw league 1 is all about long balls, long throw ins, set pieces, muddy pitches, goalkeepr gets less protection i think league 1 is a good test for young goalkeepers.
Premiership especially with arsenal its how szczensy concentrates for 90mins where arsenal dominate and then the opposition has once chance thats when szczensy has to prove. At arsenal we wont concede many chances and our goalkeeper have to be alert
What I like is how quickly he gets up after a save. Lightning quick and I don’t think he’s trying to be flashy, just his style.
Yh hes 6ft5 as well the way he moves hes very agile and mobile. He looks the pefect goalkeeper to me he has everything kicking, catching, saving, penalty saving,commanding the box, leadership skills. I bet he can header a ball and score goals from corners if we need him.
Guys lets not get carried away by the guy. He does look like a great prospect, but if Wenger thought he was good enough to be challenging for the number 1 spot, then no doubt he would have had him back at Arsenal last season.
I’d like to see him get a few pre-season games under his belt, maybe in the Emirates Cup and see where he goes from there.
http://www.footmercato.net/ligue1/transferts/psg-chantome-arsenal-c-est-une-possibilite_49649
JS Clement chantome to Arsenal? Hes leaving PSG and arsenal need a defensive midfielder chantome agent has said arsenal may be a possiblity this article was taken in on may 19th
I will love to see this kid at Arsenal but I doubt Wenger is going to sign him we have Eastmond who looks like a good homegrown prospect
The only reason he hasn’t been on the bosses plans, is the hierarchy at Arsenal. He needs experience but he is our future number one I kind of think he is the reason bids for Mark Schwarzer were being talked about At 37, we can squeeze 2 seasons out of him and then bring Wojciech in. He isn’t the finished article but that in itself should give us hope.
Schwarzer isnt coming but we can use someone like him
I still think Tech9 has two more season left before he becomes Arsenal no.1 he needs to go step by step prove himself in the championship and then in EPL and then he can become Arsenal No.1
But the best thing about Tech9 is that he knows he has to take some hits to deal with crosses. He took more hits in half a season in league one then he ever will in PL and he always came out on top. He still needs to beef up though and then he can really command his box
I really hope Wenger takes a look at Heinz Muller-the ex-barnley goalie again.. He is in good form with Mainz. 6’5″ w/ English football experience.. 31 years old… seem like a perfect complement with Szczesny.
I would rather stay with Almunia than go for Heinz Muller
He’s pretty good. his handling will improve as well as his spilling of the ball. those are my main worries because if the defenders infront of him do not work to cover after he punches or spills the ball, he could get creamed. from what ive watched, he is amazing so far and it scares me that he WILL become better
He works more on his basics and he said so in his interview he must have watched the matches where Fabianski and Almunia made stupid mistakes and he made a comment that they didnt know the basics and that’s why they were making those mistakes
Poland are playing against Finland today any idea if Szchesny will be involved in the match
im usually a pretty over-critical judge when it comes to football but in all fairness this guy looks amazing….flawless!!! i tried looking for weaknesses so if im gonna be over the top id say he could probably held a couple of the shot in the compilation!!haha….it would be interesting to see a compilation of what he done wrong for brentford to see where he can improve…but by all accounts he was there best player this season(the second half)
I am guessing improving his decision making and dealing with ups and down that come with been a goalkeeper is the next step in his development
He already has great reflexes, courage when coming for crosses and 6’5 frame
He’s too young? He’s only 20? He needs at least two more years? Eventually, the so called team that thrives on youth don’t want to give Szczesny just a chance to prove himself in the midst of below average goalkeeping. How old was Cassillas, Buffon, Arkenfeev, Lioris and Cech. Cech at 23 had already won two titles.
At this stage Almunia and Fabianski are no better than him. I believe if he proves himself in pre-season, he’ll get the nod. I’m sure Arsene is looking at him for the 10/11 season.
Do we really want him to face the pressure that Arsenal keepers endure without being Mentally ready for it.
He might just feel that he doesnt deserve to be our No.1 and then go down the tubes from there.
I want him to feel he deserves to be our no.1 since he has already proven it in championship and then the EPL.
GoodLuck Tch9
Was thinkn the same a-dog. Wud be gud watchn a vid of the goals he conceded
I don’t think his age is a problem. Atletico’s keeper is even younger than him, and having started the season as third choice, he ended it as number 1 and winning the UEFA. I’d like Almunia to stay and fight it out with Szczesny for the number-one spot. Almunia would be a decent number two, which is more than can be said for Fabianski. Don’t get me wrong, two years ago I watched Fabianski in a friendly and he was better than Buffon or Casillas, and I gather he’s like that in training all the time. Trouble is, he can only do it when no one’s watching, which makes him an absolutely disasterous reserve keeper who would fall to pieces if called upon for a key game. Nerves are his problem, and they’re getting worse by the year rather than better. I really hope Wenger doesn’t persist with him as if he hasn’t conquered the problem by 24-25, it’s unlikely he’s going to. My guess, however, is that Almunia will leave, Fabianski and Mannone will be nos 2 and 3, and Szczesny will go on loan for the season. Sigh.
this guy is quality and I honestly think he is our best goalie – gotta give him a go at least in pre-season
who the hell is philip roberts
U16 Striker we got on a free from Norwich; he’s an Irish youth international.
seems a player that wants 1st team action, if he impresses in pre season he could well get a go in 1st team, although he may seem to be a bit too young he does look very confident. if wenger doesn’t get a new keeper then i would rather him than useless 2 we have now
Why are my comments being monitored by you J??? I never said anything terrible. Maybe a few swear words, but nothing anyone can’t handle…Well I called that one guy a stupid shit, but that’s all I said.
Never mind. Sorry, I just kept getting blocked from commenting on here. It has to be my pc.
Tech9 is a very good shot stopper and has shown that he can handle the pressure ofbeing a goalkeeper.
HOWEVER he still has to improve on catching the ball. Yes he is brave at crosses and handle well the physical stuff (that tend to be worse at League 1 level than premiership level) but he tends to punch the ball too often rather than catch it. That is one of the reason why Shay Given was never approach by top team. Great shot stopper, but never catch the ball. At Newcastle by punching and rather than catching the ball he kept the pressure on his team. Look at the number of corner team were conceding on average per game and compare with Newcastle average. In the end pressure was translated by goal.
Tech9 needs to go loan at a championship or premiership club where he will play regurlarly and be able to improve on his weaknesses.
oh you are a brave man to criticize the fans no. star! They will slaughter you for this. In most Arsenal fans eyes Chesney is sooooooooo much better than Almunia! Chesney will winn us many trophies next year you know.That is what i hear anywya. He is so good infact if he was english he would be going to SA now. That is how good he is. Not that i have ever seen him, howerver everybody els tends to think so. That is why i think so too.
If chesney does not start next year we got to sell Wenger. Cos he only plays kids and did sell Merida insted of Denilson and all arsenal blogs are against this. We know best. Ask anyone
pff no serious. Valentin speks the truth people. Unsing chesney to soon and reducehim to nervewrech Fabiansky would be a disaster! Lets not ruin any more keeper talents now eh?
What age was Casillas when he got his chance at Madrid? I thought he won the champions league when he was 20/21 !? If Szczezny is going to be world class, I would have thought he’d have been put in sooner rather than later.
He looks like a real athlete in those videos, so much of goalkeeping is mental and he seems to have a capacity to be strong in that regard.
But to be honest, league 1 looks like a terrible quality of football, if we are judging him on what he has done so far we should probably thread with some caution
Does anyone know if Szczesny will be at the world cup ? did poland qualify ??
Casillas got his shot at 19 did great at first but had some very bad disappointments at the end of the season madrid bought a new keeper next summer but he didnt measure up they gave Casillas a chance again and he hasnt let go since
League one is one of the roughest leagues in the world and if he could deal with the physicality in that league then he can surely deal with the physicality in EPL but the pressure he will be on when he plays for arsenal is 100000x more than he would have been put in Brentford.
Every Mistake he makes with us will mean blogs and newspapers journalist saying he wasnt ready for arsenal and wenger made a mistake and that might mean the end of this kid and then he will be the next Fabianski
I want this kid to feel he deserves to be Arsenal No.1 and I would love the blogs and newspapers in a couple of years to say that if wengers doesnt give Szchesny a chance in 12/13 campaign they are going to stage a mass protest or jump a roof or something
Two more years in loan in a championship and EPL side and this kid will be ready to go
Does anyone know anything about crewe alexandra player Nick Powell? Seems to like arsenal are going to make a move for him. Just wondering if hes a winger cause we need some
this barca winger Gerrad looks awesome
god england are playing such a boring a game long balls to wingers what wrong with dribbling once in a while and build up play ????????
2-1 england, great goal from Wickham
England win
Looks like no World Cup for Poland, Szczesny didnt make the friendly squad anyway from what I can see with Fabianski in :@ (no wonder they didnt make the world cup i hear you say )
I’m in agreement with you Andrew about Szczesny wanting to feel like he is the number 1 before he goes into war for Arsenal. I have no idea how this goalkeeper situation will pan out next season for the first team tho….Its a significant handicap to not have a keeper to be relied upon :S
england won it good for them but in all honesty spain were the better team and they played better football
this gerrad kid looks like a really great winger in the making
hey fab is their aswell
there*
brentford are lucky to have had him. This kid can reach the top of the world for keepers, no doubt. Considering he wasnt even there a full year, a 6 minute high light of mostly world class saves is unbeleivable.
dis guy is probably up there with the best YOUNG goalies in the world today