Young Guns – Arsenal Reserves & Youth News

The Szczęsny family already had one famous goalkeeping member, and now they have another with Poland Under 21 stopper Wojciech following in his father Maciej’s footsteps.

The 18-year-old already had first team experience when signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2006, having turned out for former side Legia Warsaw aged just 15. His performance in that fixture, along with his rapid development in Legia’s youth sides led to a mass scramble for his services. Liam Brady managed to snap up the youngster following a short trial and he went straight into Steve Bould’s Under 18′s.

Following a handful of appearances for the Academy during his first season, he managed to fight off competition from Lee Butcher – who was released – to become the number one. During the 2007-2008 season Szczęsny made 23 starts as the Gunners won the Premier Academy League Group A. He also honed his penalty saving, with a superb one handed save against Fulham at the end of the season. He signed his first professional contract at the close of the campaign.

Last season was a mixture of incredible high and unbelievable lows. He only made 9 appearances all term after first breaking both his arms during a gym session at London Colney, and then his toe after clashing with Sanchez Watt in training. However, he did turn out for the Reserves on 4 occasions and looked composed and solid at that level. Szczęsny also claimed a Premier Academy League winners medal after Bould’s boys secured the title with a win over Tottenham.

His form has led to not only call ups for the Polish Under 17 and Under 19 teams, but he even replicated his father’s achievements by making the Under 21 team in a friendly against England. His dad went on to play at full international level, and with time on his side, Wojciech promises to make that leap in the future.

In September he signed a brand new three-year-deal and made the substitute bench for first team games against Wigan Athletic and Stoke City towards the end of the campaign.

Tall, strong, commanding and a superb reader of the game, many share the view that ‘Tech 9′ is one of most exciting goalkeeping talents in Europe. His gentle and appreciative nature has endeared him to everybody at the club, yet it remains clear that Wojciech has his eyes on the number one jersey.

Name: Wojciech Szczęsny
Nickname: ‘Tech 9′
Age: 18
Nationality: Polish
International: Yes (Under 21)
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 195cm
Previous Clubs: Legia Warsaw
Contract : Professional