Wojciech Szczęsny is seen by many, including Arsène Wenger, as Arsenal’s long term number one goalkeeper. A hugely successful loan spell with Brentford last season was supposed to be the start of his battle to be first-choice, but after months of frustration, Wojciech lashed out at the Frenchman in an interview in his home land.
The 20-year-old has gone a long way to repairing what has been a strained relationship with Wenger in recent years with a determined interview with Arsenal.com last week. However, talks over extending his contract, which expires at the end of the season, seem far from fruitful.
This week, Young Guns caught up with the respected Polish journalist and free-lance scout Michał Zachodny to discuss all things Szczęsny. Michał kicked things off with some thoughts on the interview that caused such furor earlier in the season.
“That famous Szczęsny interview came like a bolt from the blue; nobody expected that he may be unhappy at Arsenal. We could only hear how big a talent he is and his days as number three are numbered, especially with Almunia and Fabiański not impressing too much. Then it came out that he’s thinking about leaving and also sharing some very bitter comments about Wenger and his position.”
“We are not used to having Polish players regarded as a future star in such big clubs such as Arsenal so many took it as grief of maturing teenager or another evidence of him being, just like his father, a big mouth. He is highly rated in Poland, another top talent coming from Krzysztof Dowhań, already made a debut in national team and really regarded as future number one and maybe top goalkeeper in our history.”
Various loan moves have been mooted but Wenger was always set on sending Vito Mannone on loan. The refusal to let Wojciech continue his development elsewhere is a key mistake, according to Michał, who also rubbishes claims the ‘keeper made about his manager not having the bottle to play a young goalie.
“His comment that Wenger is not brave enough to give a chance to a teenager was a stupid one, but I think that the decision not to loan him out to Championship club was as misjudged as Szczęsny says it was. He deserved it and it would be much better for his future at Arsenal to spend another season playing rather than watching Almunia and Fabiański doing so.”
“Judging from his comments and knowing his personality, he’s ready to step up on the big scene and perform. I can’t see him changing clubs in the summer but I believe there will be few big clubs interested in his services.”
Szczęsny is currently part of a Poland one-two at Arsenal. Compatriot and good friend Lukasz Fabiański is beginning to establish himself as first choice, while Manuel Almunia’s injury means the youngster is back up. But what are the comparisons between the duo?
“I think that main difference between Fabiański and Szczęsny is confidence. The first one needs several games in a row, in which he plays well to match his potential while the latter is just full of it and it can be seen with every save he makes. Even when a mistake happens to him he recovers very quickly while Fabiański just struggles with the pressure and makes another one. Szczęsny looks better off the line, judging crosses better and fighting well for position in his box. I think that the reflexes of the younger one is way better and on and off the line, but Fabiański is better ‘catcher’ of the ball while Szczęsny often chooses just to punch.”
“Szczęsny has a great physical appearance and those six centimeters give him much needed advantage over his Polish teammate.”
After reading all the good points, the question every Arsenal fan wants answered is obvious. What does the future hold for Wojciech? Michał is clear.
“Although it looks like his future remains uncertain, I’m almost sure that Arsenal fans will enjoy his talent for many years to come. Arsène Wenger is not a person that misjudges young talent so often and Szczęsny already showed how promising a goalkeeper he is. If I was a Gooner, his comments could make me angry but as a Pole and especially remembering who his father is, I know that he simply has is in his blood to speak before he thinks.”
“That said, Arsène must give him a chance sooner rather than later, just to win him back and give him any hope of breaking into the squad. I think that next round of Carling Cup may be a win-win situation for both as I’m sure that Szczęsny will deliver and Wenger will prove that he is right about goalkeepers talent. The contract extension will come and situation will be back to normal with Arsenal fans looking with a smile on their future in goal.”
You can follow Michał on Twitter @PolishScout
easier said than done
and its obvious why wenger isnt sending him out on loan, he hasn’t signed a new contract and until he does wenger cant send him out if he had signed a new contract in the summer then he would have been on a loan right now
I hope Carling cup works out for both parties but he needs to sign a contract until that happens he’s not being loaned to anyone
Bingo – I’m amazed how much commentary there has been on this issue for weeks now without anyone mentioning exactly that: Arsenal was never going to put him in the shop window for free.
If Szczesny wants to play this year, he needs to resign so he can go out on loan. If he just want to go Bosman, then he can consider this year lost. Wenger will just keep him on ice and use him only in emergencies as a backup – much like Merida. The days of Arsenal being played like a flute, as Flamini did, are gone for good.
I think Wenger should give Fabianski a run as no.1 to see if he has the confidence to be a long standing no.1.
I will be gutted though if Szczęsny doesn’t play v Newcastle. By keeping him as no.2 and letting him play some cup games will give us a real chance to see how good he is against top opposition.
If he does well he will be competing for the no.1 spot – if that’s the case why wouldn’t he sign a new contract?
I’d keep them both incase we need any building work done at the training ground
nice one
ches just has to play v newcastle
It would literally be a disaster if Szczesney doesn’t play against Newcastle. It would probably signal his departure in the summer unless Wenger finally gives him a chance. He’s proven that he deserves at least a chance during his loan spell last year, come on Wenger, let’s see how good he really is at last.
wenger needs to make a decision about almunias future as this is the key factor in this saga, if almunia doesn’t go in jan and chesny hasn’t signed a contract then we will hav a major problem keeping him
I think if Szczensy doesnt start aganist Newcastle he is gone the end of the season… with many suitors only to happy to take him.
What I have read and seen of his performances for Brentford he should have been loan out in Aug and given him a full year after he signed a new deal with a championship side or lower PL team. That didnt happen and now he is pissed after being told he would be given chances.
One last thing is how we let his contract run down again (this is not the first time this has happened|) its f**king stupid, it says on the Arsenal site he signed a “long term” deal in 08/09 when on earth is LT 3 years??? bad management from the Gunners by letting the pick of our young prospects possible walk away on a free.
Fingers cross Wenger can talk him around and congrats to Fabinski and his recent performances he was excellent yesterday. I really like to see the two Poles battle it out for the No 1 jersey this season
Young Guns; Any news on this young Barcelona prodigy call Sergi Samper , seems like arsenal is interested in him.
Szczesny will almost certainly play against Newcastle, I don’t understand all this panic amongst the commenters.
Also, young players on the fringes are hardly going to commit themselves to long contracts. If it doesn’t work out at the club and they want to leave for regular football in order to develop, they can find themselves trapped by that lengthy contract. And if they do break through and start to play regularly, a long contract will mean they will be stuck on a measly wage for a while as the club is in no rush to extend what is already a 4/5 year deal.
Young players and short contracts go hand in hand, get used to it.
No….clubs will let there young players move on if they are not good enough and want to go. It has nothing to do with length of contract. The ones that are good enough will get there chance. You can not expect to start at keeper at a big club at 20 years old.
Bravo shane, you completely missed the point.
I got your point and your point is wrong and is not backed up by anything.
Well if he goes hes stupid. Simple as. Everyone and his grandma can see he will be Arsenal no 1 in 1-2 years time. Its not rocket sience…
Is it me or does anyone else think he is garunteed start at Newcastle?
Fabinaski has been great he does look a really good goalkeeper.
But owijech szcensy unfortunately is a special, special goalkeeper.
I put him in the oliver khan bracket. Exceptional goalkeeper who wins matches and is as brave as a boxer
it hope he is as good as everyone says. we’re hearing all this hype but i wonder how much people here have actually seen of him…
i’m sure some really do know what they’re talking about and i hope he’s as good as they say and stays with us
J,
I think it’s pretty clear that wenger is after another young striker, links with the likes of lukaku and hernandez show this. Firstly, am I accurate? And who is the most likely to b purchasd? Jus watchin cluj nd l. Traore has had a fine game, he’s very quik nd altho he’s skinny he dus not lose the ball. I fear tho he is nt clinical enuf. He may b 2 much like chamakh n bentner.
How? We are linked with 100 players a year and we usually sign none of the ones we are linked with. We have 2 of the best young strikers in the world in Vela and Bendtner along with JET and Afobe coming through plus Wellington Silva is coming not to mention Chamakh and RVP. Not sure where a new young striker would fit into that considering we only play 1 striker.
Honestly I am annoyed by this. Just sign a contract or let him sit out. There is no point in wasting time try to prove something to an ungrateful little kid. Stop crying….you will get get your chance sooner rather than later so it doesn’t matter. How many 20 year old keepers are starting for big clubs? Wenger also needs to understand that your back up keeper should not be your long term keeper. Your long term keepers should be playing week in and week out on loan. Trust me, playing games and confidence are the only ways keepers improve. Your back up should be just that…a back up. Usually is an older keeper.
erm…Joe Hart? Casillas?
Man city was a big club when Joe Hart was 20? NO. No shit about Casillas but you are making my point. You seem to name a whopping 2 players. It does not happen very often was the point.
Also I had no clue Joe Hart and Casillas are still 20 years old….
Top read Jay, i hope Chesney gets on and signs a new contract soon…
You can not expect to start at keeper at a big club at 20 years old.
………..
Iker Cassias – real madrid