Naturally, it’s pretty hard to pick holes in Arsenal’s 6-1 victory over a lackluster Southampton side. The Saints gave their superior opponents way more time and space than could be justified and Arsenal capitalized and then some. They were well worth their six goals and overall, it was a team performance that will stick in my mind for some time.
But if there was one weakness in an otherwise majestic Arsenal performance, it was their young goalkeeping ace, Wojciech Szczesny.
Most fans and pundits consider him to be one of the premier young goalkeeping talents in world football. The 22-year-old Pole has climbed to fame extremely quickly following a number of impressive performances in an Arsenal shirt.
The fact is, however, that he seemed considerably more impressive as a result of comparison to Arsenal’s other options. The likes of Manuel Almunia and Lukas Fabianski had both been through comically bad periods of form, before Arsene Wenger decided to turn to young Szczesny. The fact that he came in, demonstrated his ability as a shot stopper and a kind of Jens Lehmann-like self-assurance only served to further endear him to Arsenal fans.
I’d argue his best moment came during a North London derby last season, when with Gareth Bale through on goal, he rush out, dived in, took a knee to the face and somehow managed to leave the Welshman poleaxed. How’s that for confidence?
But Arsenal now seem to be paying the cost for his rise in reputation. He’s the reason Arsene Wenger didn’t buy a new goalkeeper this summer, something which could well turn out to be a mistake. Mistakes have slowly crept into his game and now seem to be a regular part of it.
To mention another North London derby, I’m sure Arsenal fans will remember his flap at Kyle Walker’s shot last season to secure a 2-1 Tottenham victory last October. We all saw his error for Poland this summer during the Euros that cost his side big. The latest addition to what is becoming a laundry list of mistakes came during the Gunners’ 6-1 routing of Southampton. He dropped the ball directly in front of Danny fox, who neatly slotted away a consolation goal.
It may not have mattered in the grand scheme of the match, but similar mistakes could cost Arsenal over the course of a season.
Given his propensity for mistakes, can we really call Szczesny a prodigy? I think he has a future at the top level because he’s learning from his mistakes at such a young age. But he doesn’t strike me as a David Seaman or Peter Schmiechel.
Whilst I hope he proves me wrong, I can’t help but feel it would be more sensible to monitor expectations when it comes to the young Pole.
What’s your take? Is Szczesny as good as Arsenal fans like to think?
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Can’t see how anyone has rated the guy.
Keepers have been a problem for ages now. And still are.
Yes he is.
Dumb question.
Personally, I have my doubts about his abilities but, like you pointed out, he is the best we have at the moment. So we have to stick with him for now.
“Naturally, it’s pretty hard to pick holes” Haha so why you still trying. Don’t talk tosh. Chezzer is our number one.
Ofcourse he is! and comparing him to seaman and schmeichel doesn’t count as a real review of goalkeeping talent.
I think he is a fantastic, that mistake against southampton is because he was injured for a few weeks, players never perform as well, when coming back from injury. He’s a fantastic keeper, with amazing talent.
What kind of article is this? I saw Arsenal take space away from Southampton. Space they didn’t want to give away but were forced to thru class. It was not their ‘crapness’ but Arsenal’s passing game.
Now Wenger has sorted out the goalkeeper’s position. No wait….he hasnt. You say.
Tried to figure out why you write like this.
Eventually realised its because we r thick and you exploit.
no doubt,dis guy is good,but i av nt been able 2 figure out y he makes some terrible errors. It’s so annoying. Aside d 1s d writer had mentioned,i can still mention few others,of which i had seen it coming right aft d spurs game last oct. @davehigh,i get u so much like dis guy,in which every oda arsenal fan and i do too,but we cant just continue sparing him everytime his childishness gets him stupid,till he turns into a complete almunia. Bold Bould should beta talk sense into his thick skull. I am Gunner that can shoot.
Wenger has sorted out the goal keeping position – he’s chosen to play Mannone instead of Szczeny. LOL
Szczeney in his short premiership career had few high moments where he showed good saves and some thought that he will be a very good prospect in the near future, but he took those early positive comments as an accomplishment and began to build up kaki attitude taking ridiculous risk in the 6 yard box costing the team games and moral. In any soccer game, there is no worst thing than conceding a goal as a result of your own team mate and Szcz is prone to that. I believe, most of his errors were results of his own arrogance to draw attention. These types of errors by players show the lack of management in the team. The new assistant coach should be able to see this and make suggestions. Wenger allowed SZCZ to start game after game while he continues with his recklessness. Mistakes by the golly costs the team games, there should not be any tolerance for negligence. Wenger should get rid of Szcz or take him off from the 1st team long time ago, no matter how good the team may be, if you have a goofy golly you will lose important games. Szcz career at Arsenal is done sell him while he worth something now, after a season or two he will take Almunia’s seat. Yes, Manone needs more experience, but I will take him any day over Szcz.