Wojciech Szczęsny may have only just become Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper, but the Pole wants to continue playing for the next 40 years. The 20-year-old believes, injury permitting, he could still be in action on his 60th birthday.
Szczęsny was quizzed by Sport.pl shortly before injuring his shoulder in training with Poland. The stopper received treatment and is expected to start against Norway tonight. He avoided picking up a serious complaint, and its keeping fit that will be the key to playing at a record breaking age.
“If I can stay injury free and keep my fitness I could be playing even until I’m 60. I can’t see any problems – this is a great job.”
The youngster also offered praise to fellow Arsenal’s goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański, saying he believes he isn’t as good as his compatriot, who will miss the rest of the season through injury. A lack of leadership is something Fabiański has been criticised for, but Wojciech admits he’s different.
“I know my role in the team, I know I’m not some kind of a star. But on the pitch I do give advice to players, if someone needs to be properly yelled at, I don’t hesitate. That’s my job.”
Wojciech was also asked about the biggest influence on his career, after explaining how his father calls him after every game and points out mistakes. Yet surprisingly, it isn’t his famous Dad who he names, but Dagenham and Redbridge stalwart Tony Roberts, who is a goalkeeping coach at Arsenal.
“I can’t owe my father a whole lot because we didn’t have a chance to work together too much. The person I owe a lot is Tony Roberts, who coached me in the Youth Team, Reserves team and now in the First Team.”
Szczęsny completed the interview by explaining his embarrassment towards wearing Arsenal’s pink goalkeeping jersey, saying “I hate that colour”.
He will no doubt be relieved to find out Poland’s ‘keeper shirt is not pink.