Wojciech Szczesny would like to stay at Arsenal for the rest of his career.
The 23-year-old signed a new long-term deal with the club in November and has established himself as the club’s No1 so firmly that his deputy, Lukasz Fabianski, is set to leave this summer in a bid to find first-team football.
Although the Gunners were linked with a number of high-profile goalkeepers in the summer — most notably Iker Casillas from Real Madrid and Barcelona’s Victor Valdes — Arsene Wenger opted to sign Emiliano Viviano as back-up to give Szczesny and Fabianski the chance to prove their worth.
Szczesny has played in all 29 Premier League games this season and is unequivocal in where he sees his future.
“If they give me a contract to the end of my career, I’d sign it without any hesitation,” he said. “I feel attached to the club and the coach who has given me a chance. There are not many who would do that but I must’ve been good. I see the future here.
“I’ll play at Arsenal as long as am wanted here. I am not afraid to fight for number one with anyone: Fabianski or Casillas.
“I hope I won’t make the boss think, ‘Wojciech’s not number one’. It’s all in my hands. I am in the best form of my life.”
Szczesny has encountered some difficult spells at Arsenal. Four years ago, he stalled over signing a new contract before agreeing to stay while he had a spell on the sidelines last season after being dropped for their Champions League last-16, second-leg clash against Bayern Munich.
However, Szczesny revealed that Wenger sweetened that particular decision with a new deal. “The decision was made [by the club to offer me a new contract] the day after I was told I wouldn’t play against Bayern. The next day I was at the training ground at 7.30, I trained individually and at 10.30 with the team. It was noticed.
“In 2010, I wanted to leave. I was far from the first team and my contract was expiring. That was the only time I was ready to leave. I was ready to play in the first team but I wasn’t even a sub in League Cup.”
Wenger has confirmed that Fabianski will be selected for next month’s FA Cup semi-final against Wigan but despite the competition offering Arsenal their best chance of silverware since 2005, Szczesny has no complaints. “If we win it, we will all feel relieved,” he said. “Fans expect trophies. It doesn’t matter that I don’t play because Łukasz is doing well.”
And he believes the club’s future is bright having shown themselves capable of signing the best players following last summer’s £42.4million capture of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid.
“The transfer of Ozil is a signal to the whole Europe: we can afford anyone,” Szczesny told Polish newspaper Przeglad Sportowy.
“The club have signed new commercial contracts, we play in the Champions League every year and we have no debts. I didn’t sign long term with Arsenal because of the money. I believe there’s no better place for me. A few years ago we were like Borussia Dortmund, our best players were taken by others. Now we can afford Ozil.”
Written by Steve Milne
