Szczesny grabbed the chance and immediately became a fans favourite with his passion and reflexes which helped Arsene Wenger install him as number one, something that Szczesny has not looked back from. The first name on the team sheet, Szczesny has got many years in front of him between the sticks for the gunners and he will begin to take headlines for sure.
His command of his area this season has been terrific and it appears he is growing in confidence week-in-week-out, with crucial saves at crucial times in games.
Arsenal goalkeeping legend Bob Wilson believes Szczesny has been a vital member of the Arsenal squad for a while now and he may be more important player than the star man himself, RVP.
“He becomes as valuable in a way as Robin van Persie,” said Wilson, “and in some ways more valuable. Because any side that’s going to win things needs a solid spine. And it’s fair to say that any side that wins the title, you will generally say their goalkeeper has been the most consistent keeper in that season.
“You look at the pictures when we beat Barcelona, for the second goal, he’s on his knees,” said Wilson of the 2-1 win in February. “So that’s what is going through him about winning. You have to want to win. He wants to be the best.”
Arsène Wenger agrees. “He’s a quiet boy usually, you know,” said the Arsenal manager. “But he has something that is difficult to explain. Some keepers have that, some do not. That’s what you call presence, charisma, confidence. It must be a mixture of all that. He is a deep thinker, you do not play at this level and make the decisions he makes if you do not think about the game.”
The 21-year-old keeper deserves much praise for Arsenal’s return to form, with RVP one fire at one end, it is easy to ignore the heroics of others, but Szczesny is one man that can’t be overlooked. With an inconsistent defence and a lack of aerial ability in the side, Szczesny has been a breath of fresh air back there and is an unsung hero of the Arsenal cause.
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