Wojciech Tomasz Szczęsny

Wojciech Tomasz Szczęsny (pronounced [ˈvɔi̯t​͡ɕɛx ˈʂt​͡ʂɛ̃snɨ], approximately voy-czech sh-chens-nə; born 18 April 1990) is a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Arsenal and the Poland national football team. He is the son of former Polish goalkeeper Maciej Szczęsny.

Early Life

Before turning to football, Szczęsny first learned football and later excelled at the javelin. His father, Maciej, is a former Polish international goalkeeper, and his elder brother, Jan, also plays as a goalkeeper, currently for Gwardia Warszawa in the 7th tier of the Polish league system, the club where their father Maciej Szczęsny once played.
Szczęsny is well known for his breakthrough season in 2010–11, which he started as the 4th choice goalkeeper behind Manuel Almunia, Łukasz Fabiański, and Vito Mannone, but ended it as first choice. His remarkable composure, agility, and command of his area led to his establishment as Arsenal's first choice at just 20 years of age. After winning his place in the first team, Szczęsny expressed his desire of continuing his career as Arsenal first choice goalkeeper for 15 years.

Arsenal

In 2006, Szczęsny joined the Arsenal youth set-up, progressing to the reserve team during the 2008–09 season. In November 2008, he lost his balance while lifting a heavy weight and both his forearms were fractured, causing him to miss five months. Szczęsny appeared on the first team bench for the first time during the Premier League match against Stoke City on 24 May 2009. At the start of the 2009–10 season he was promoted to the senior squad and given the number 53. He received a call up for the UEFA Champions League match against Standard Liège on 16 September 2009, featuring on the bench.

On 22 September 2009, Szczęsny made his first team debut in the League Cup, keeping a clean sheet against West Bromwich Albion.

In December 2009, Arsène Wenger revealed that he and the rest of Arsenal's coaching staff have high hopes for Szczęsny, saying "We have identified Wojciech as a future great, great goalkeeper." In January 2010, Wenger said: "I really believe in him that he will one day be Arsenal's No 1. He has all the qualities you want from a goalkeeper."

Brentford (loan)

On 20 November 2009, Szczęsny joined League One team Brentford on a month's loan. He saved a second-half penalty in his second match in the 1–0 loss to Wycombe Wanderers. Szczęsny completed his fifth game for Brentford on 12 December 2009, where he made a number of saves to keep out Leeds United and was given the Man of the Match award. On 22 December, Arsenal agreed to extend the loan for a second month until 17 January 2010, and then until 31 January. Finally, it was extended until 31 May. In April, Brentford manager Andy Scott said: "His performances suggest that he would not be out of place in the Championship or even the Premier League. It has reached the stage where when he lets in a goal we wonder why he hasn't saved it."

2010–11

On 27 October 2010, Szczęsny made his second appearance for Arsenal in the League Cup, keeping a clean sheet against Newcastle United at St James' Park. He showed real quality by stopping numerous attempts from Newcastle players. He made a splendid diving save to deny Alan Smith his first goal for Newcastle United, and kept Arsenal on level terms. Arsenal then went on to win the game 4–0. He signed a new long-term contract on 11 November 2010. Szczęsny thanked his personal goalkeeping coach, Josh Phelan, and his father Maciej Szczęsny (who was also a keeper for the Polish national team), for helping him progress in his breakthrough season. Szczęsny made his Premier League debut in the 1–0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on 13 December 2010, deputising for Łukasz Fabiański and Manuel Almunia, who both missed the match through injury. On 8 January 2011, he started the FA Cup third-round match against Leeds United conceding from a penalty scored by Leeds midfielder Robert Snodgrass. Despite diving the correct way and getting a hand to the ball, the strike had too much power for Szczęsny to keep out. The game finished 1–1. The following weekend, Szczęsny kept his first league clean sheet in a 3–0 win over West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground.

Following Szczęsny's form after playing consecutive Premier League matches, Wenger confirmed that Szczęsny would remain Arsenal's first choice goalkeeper, stating "he's done nothing for me to take him out." On 16 February, Szczęsny starred in his Champions League debut against Barcelona at the Emirates. The game finished 2–1 for Arsenal with Szczęsny making a number of saves. On 27 February, Szczęsny let in a late Birmingham City winner in the League Cup Final. In the 89th minute, a header caused confusion between Szczęsny and defender Laurent Koscielny where the latter pulled out of a clearance at the last minute causing the former to lose control of the ball, which rolled right into the path of Birmingham player Obafemi Martins, who converted from near the penalty spot. On 8 March, Szczęsny started in the Champions League game against Barcelona only to be substituted in the 19th minute for an injury later to be confirmed as a dislocated finger. He was sidelined for six weeks, but was immediately reinstated to the first XI upon his return to fitness, playing 90 minutes in Arsenal's game against Liverpool. Szczęsny enjoyed a successful game, making several crucial saves and holding his ground in front of arguably one of the most testing strike partnerships in the Premiership consisting of Luis Suárez and Andy Carroll. However he couldn't manage to save Dirk Kuyt's 102nd minute penalty, leaving Arsenal and Liverpool to settle for a 1–1 draw .n 20 April, Szczęsny played in a North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. He brought down Spurs winger Aaron Lennon to give Tottenham a penalty, but also made a number of impressive saves during the match, which ended 3–3. He was voted as Arsenal's fourth best player of the 2010–11 season on Arsenal.com, Arsenal's official website.

2011–12

Szczęsny played a half in each of Arsenal's pre-season games on their tour of Malaysia and China. Szczęsny was given the number 13 instead of number 53, formerly worn by Alexander Hleb then Jens Lehmann on his second spell at the club. He played the first match of the 2011–12 Premier League season, a 0–0 draw with Newcastle United, this making him Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper. On 24 August Szczęsny made a vital penalty save in the 59th minute of play against Antonio Di Natale in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League qualifying round. Arsenal were tied 1–1 (2–1 on aggregate) against Udinese Calcio and Szczęsny's penalty save proved vital in securing Arsenal a spot in the lucrative group stage of the competition for the 14th straight season. Arsenal went on to win the game 2–1 (3–1 on aggregate) with goals coming from Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott. He also played in the 8–2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford which turned out to be Arsenal's heaviest defeat in the Premier League and the first time they conceded 8 goals for over 115 years.

International Career

Szczęsny also plays for Poland's U-21 team and has started all three 2011 European Championship qualifying matches to date. He was also placed on stand-by for the Polish national team by manager Leo Beenhakker for the team's World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Slovenia in early September 2009. However, since none of Poland's top three goalkeepers dropped out, he was not called up and instead played the U-21 qualifiers against Spain and Finland. He has a total of six caps for the U-21 squad.

In October 2009, new manager Franciszek Smuda sent Szczęsny his first call up to the full national side, for the friendly matches against Romania and Canada. Szczęsny made his debut versus Canada on 18 November 2009, coming on as a 46th minute substitute for Tomasz Kuszczak. He earned his second cap and his first full match in a February 2011 friendly against Norway.

Wojciech had a superb performance against the Germany national team on 6 September 2011. The final result of the match was a 2–2 draw, however Wojciech made 8 critical saves that kept Poland from conceding anymore goals. His performance in this match earned him praise from former German international goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn.