Category Archives: Wojceich Szczesny

Szczesny: Arsenal must finish above Spurs

  By jtom | 20/12/2011 - 7:30 AM | Wojceich Szczesny
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Wojceich Szczesny said that the “main target” for the Gunners this season is to finish above Tottenham. Arsenal should be aiming much higher than finishing above Spurs, which is something we’ve accomplished every year since 1995.

Spurs are currently five points ahead of us, though they have played one less match. Following the loss to Manchester City on Sunday, Szczesny said that the new goal is to finish ahead of Tottenham:

“Getting above Tottenham is the main target. We don’t want to finish below them no matter what. That’s just my personal ambition because I am one of the fans and so it means a lot to me to finish above them. I am confident we will do so.

“They will slip up eventually. They have been in good form – you have to give it to them – but I am confident we are a better side and will finish above them. Time will tell if they can handle the pressure but they look good at the moment. Hopefully they will drop points in the second half of the season.” (Source: Evening Standard)

Has it really come to this? Are we so rubbish that finishing above Spurs is the main target? What if they end up in 6th and we finish the season in 5th? Is that the definition of success this season?

Hopefully, this is only Szczesny’s wish for the campaign and not the rest of the squad. It would be a disaster if Tottenham are above us at the end of the season, but surely the goal is to secure a top four spot. Of course, the overall target of the club going forward is to compete for major trophies, but, given the way the season started, that can’t be expected this year.

Harry Redknapp’s side are having a terrific season by their low standards, although it is only a matter of time until Emmanuel Adebayor destroys the dressing room. He always starts well with his new club, then he becomes a nuisance. If somehow Spurs do finish above us this season, we can expect the DVD release of the decade from them.

Enough about Spurs. They are the ones usually obsessed by finishing above us, not the other way around. I know Szczesny means well, but his comments are sickening to many Gooners, including me.

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Wilshere: I’ll stay at Arsenal forever

  By jtom | 07/11/2011 - 7:00 AM | Jack Wilshere, Wojceich Szczesny
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Jack Wilshere promised that he will never leave the Emirates Stadium. He also targeted mid-December for his return to training. In other news, Szczesny would put money on Arsenal grabbing the league title, and the keeper is also embracing a leadership role.

Jack Wilshere

As we all know, our promising 19-year old English midfielder has yet to play this season. His recovery has been slow and delayed. Wilshere told iFilm London: “It’s going really slow at the minute and obviously I’m really frustrated. I should be back in training by mid-December, then I can crack on and it’s up to the boss when he picks me.”

Wilshere’s return has not been on my mind as much now that we are starting to win games, but he is still a massively important player. When he comes back, Arsene Wenger will have more options in the centre of the midfield.

When asked whether he would promise to stay at Arsenal “forever,” Jack replied: “I promise that, yeah. I’ve been at the club since I was nine and learned to love it.

“From the [Patrick] Vieira days, to [Dennis] Bergkamp, [Cesc] Fabregas, I’ve watched them come through and move on. There’s a crop of new players, [Aaron] Ramsey, myself, Kieran Gibbs…hopefully we can really create something special.

“I love the club and I want to be part of its future.”

With all the transfer drama of recent years, this has to warm your heart as a Gooner. Jack really wants to be an Arsenal player, and we supporters only want players who want to pull on the red and white shirt. It won’t be too long before Wilshere is the captain of our club.

Wojceich Szczesny

The leadership problem in the squad is dissolving in part because of Wojceich Szczesny. The Polish keeper is vocal and also seems to be quite a character in the dressing room. Szczesny, despite his young age, is not afraid to direct his teammates on the pitch (from the Daily Mail):

“For me it really doesn’t matter if my defence are older than me or more experienced than me, it doesn’t make any difference. My job is to get them organised and their job is to listen to me – so I’m very comfortable doing that.”

Szczesny has the confidence of Nicklas Bendtner and the skill of a top quality keeper. He also knows how to tell jokes. When asked about some of the recent dribbling risks he has taken, Wojciech said:

“That’s why they called me the young Zinedine when I was five years old! You could see that from that I’d like to have been an outfield player.”

Clearly, Szczesny speaks his mind at every possible opportunity. He told Arsenal.com about the chances of Arsenal winning the Premier League this season: “I’d put a tenner on it!. I completely believe in this Club and if we win every single game like we have been recently then why not?

“Obviously the mood has turned around and so has the belief. We believe that we can win every single game and if we can do that we are confident. I think it’s all about the spirit in the team now. There’s obviously been a few good results and we’ve got our confidence back.”

The character and spirit of this Arsenal side is different than in recent years. Maybe it is because we finally have a real captain in Robin van Persie. The new signings could have brought about a change in the dressing room. I wouldn’t bet on us winning the league, but this team could accomplish something special.

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Media warp Szczesny comments

  By jtom | 05/10/2011 - 7:00 AM | Wojceich Szczesny
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Wojceich Szczesny answered several questions after Arsenal’s loss in the North London derby. His answers were fairly tame and uncontroversial, but that did not stop the media from twisting his words to make an interesting headline. Interesting headlines at best, stonewall lies at worst.

A headline on the ESPN: “Szczesny: We’re better than Spurs.” The headline and article gave you the impression that Szczesny rushed to them to proclaim that the Gunners are still the best team in North London despite the loss. Here is what Szczesny really said (from ESPN):

“You can’t make such a statement after a couple of months after our poor start to the season or after just one game. I think Spurs are a great club and they have shown today that they can play really good football, but are they better than Arsenal? I don’t really think so.”

Judging by his answer, Szczesny was asked the obvious question about a possible power shift from Arsenal to Tottenham. Yet the media want you to think that he went out of his way to make the comments. What else is Szczesny going to say? He plays for Arsenal, so he is not ready to admit ultimate defeat in the battle against Spurs.

The Sun are not only good at manipulating photos. They also manipulate quotes. Their headline: “Szczesny: I want to be Arsenal captain, not Van Persie.” Szczesny never mentioned Robin van Persie (from The Sun):

“I feel that when I say something, everyone listens to me. More so on the field than in the dressing room, but that’s more important, I think. I want to be captain of the team. I feel I am able to take on that responsibility.”

According to The Sun’s Darren Lewis, Szczesny added “fresh controversy” to the club. No, Darren Lewis has added the controversy. Many, if not all, footballers aspire to be the captain and leader of their team. The problem with Arsenal in recent years has been a lack of leadership. I would like a team full of captains.

When there is no leadership on the pitch, the writers and pundits call for more vocal leaders. When a leader like Szczesny is vocal, the writers and pundits say there is turmoil over who should wear the armband. There is no way Arsenal or Szczesny can win in the media.

ESPN also ran a story titled: “Arsenal’s Szczesny tempted by Barcelona.” Right away, I knew this was going to be a bias-filled rumourfest. The media love kicking a club when they are down. Anyway, this is what Szczesny said (from ESPN):

“I can’t declare that I will spend my entire career here, but if I leave I will have a very important reason or I will go to Barcelona. I can’t imagine a situation where I would leave this club just for money.”

Alarm bells went off when he mentioned Barcelona, but then I came to my senses. All players in world football want to play for Barcelona right now. Also, it is unrealistic to expect Barcelona to go after Szczesny. The media love to speculate about the next Gunner to leave.

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