Arsenal v Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny unfazed by 'surreal' Barca challenge
A Premier League debut at Old Trafford and now a first start in the Champions League against Barcelona – there is certainly no question of Wojciech Szczesny being gently eased into the limelight.
Calling the shots: Szczesny is only 20 but he is not afraid to make demands of more experienced team-mates Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Jeremy Wilson 7:00AM GMT 16 Feb 2011
Jeremy's Twitter
Fortunately, at only 20, his entire outlook is of someone who seems to regard every match as an adventure and an opportunity rather than an ordeal.
“Wojciech’s not fazed by anything,” said Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager.
“Most people, if they were told they were playing Barcelona, they might have a nervous night. He’s never overawed. It’s part of the job not to be inhibited when the competition is on.
“There are some players who do less well in matches than in training and some others the reverse. He’s one of the players who becomes who he really is during competition. He doesn’t give you the feeling that he’s nervous.”
Szczesny’s journey from fourth-choice Arsenal goalkeeper to a starting place for their most eagerly-anticipated match of the season has been remarkable.
A year ago, he was on loan at Brentford. On Wednesday night, he might well be the busiest — as well as the second youngest — player on the pitch against a team recognised as the best in the world. “Surreal” is Szczesny’s description of his involvement, but few would doubt that he is ready.
Injuries to Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski presented Szczesny with his chance and he duly kept a clean sheet in six out of 12 starts, something he also achieved 10 times during 28 matches on loan last season with Brentford.
Such statistics suggest his presence has a major influence on defenders.
Johan Djourou, the Arsenal centre-back, says that Szczesny is quite prepared to give his more experienced team-mates a “rollicking” if they neglect their defensive duty.
“He is not scared about anything,” said Djourou. “He is a great guy and very confident. For a guy of his age to have that is quite impressive. If he sees some things, he will tell you.
“He is very loud. He has presence. He is quite big and is good for defenders. He is very young but it looks as though he has been in the game ages.
“It is great when you have a keeper behind you who gives you more confidence, who is vocal and comes out for crosses.”
At 6ft 5in tall, allied to his temperament, Szczesny has outstanding physical attributes and has already overcome one serious injury, having broken both forearms during a freak training accident in 2008.
“He makes unbelievable saves,” said Wenger. “He has something that you cannot give to people. He has that presence.”
Goalkeeping is also in the blood as his father, Maciej, was a Poland international.
“Wojciech has three times more talent than I and he is taller and better built than me,” said Maciej. “But I know there will be some games for Wojciech that will shorten my life by several months.”
And if there is a game to test the nerves of any anxious father, it is surely Barcelona.
lukasz fabianski, manuel almunia, getty images, old trafford, nervous night, league debut, jeremy wilson, rsquo, team mates, mdash, calling the shots, brentford, experienced team, goalkeeper, limelight, barca, ordeal, premier league ebook download, ars, champions league
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire