Szczesny: Some are born great…
149 comments February 4th, 2011
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them when more experienced Polish goalkeepers are forced to undergo shoulder surgery. Woijciech Szczesny would probably claim to be the first, will hopefully become the second, and, as things stand, is very much the third.
I’ll start by declaring my sympathies for Lukasz Fabianski. It’s easy to forget amid all the excitement over Woijciech that up until his injury Fabianski had acquitted himself rather well this season. Some outstanding displays (his performance at Molineux is still particularly memorable) had seen him establish himself as Arsenal’s number 1. Now a goalkeeper five years his junior looks set to take over as the main man.
I suppose if Szczesny crumbles under the pressure of being first-choice, Fabianski might come straight back in to the role in the summer. But that doesn’t feel remotely likely. To play at the business ends of the football pitch – in goal, or upfront – you need a robust confidence which means that mistakes are forgotten in an instant. Szczesny, like Jens Lehmann before him, has that.
Yes, he’s had a bit of luck in getting his break – at least, let’s hope him causing Fabianski’s injury was luck – but what great player hasn’t. To break through you need an opportunity to seize. So far, Szczesny has lived up to the not inconsiderable hype.
It’s exciting to have a goalkeeper that everyone seems united behind. Szczesny seems to allay fans’ anxiety somwhat. A conceded corner isn’t as much of an invitation to panic. His mere presence relaxes the supporters and subsequently the players. One senses as well that, rightly or wrongly, the fans will be more forgiving of him when the inevitable first mistake happens.
Szczesny will start tomorrow’s game at Newcastle, with Manuel Almunia on bench. Hopefully Almunia is still able to find the momentum to mount a serious challenge to the young Pole. Alex Song will miss out with a thigh problem, but Theo Walcott is fit to play.
In other news, Arsene has made the very valid point that if Cesc Fabregas were guilty of anything in the tunnel against Everton, he would certainly have been charged. I’ve deliberately steered quite clear of the furore surrounding our captain: ultimately, I find it quite boring. People outside the club will always take pot-shots at you – especially when you’re doing well. We should take their bitterness as a compliment. Sometimes I think we worry too much about being ‘loved’ and not enough about winning things.
Finally, congratulations to Laurent Koscielny on his first call-up for France. I was delighted for him to nod home the winner the other night, especially having been involved in the controversial Everton goal. He’s had a funny old first six months in England: he’s look composed, intelligent, and classy; yet he’s also been sent off twice and has contributed to some of our messier defensive moments. However, it looks as if the mistakes are being ironed out and we might have a good player on our hands.
Enjoy your Friday.
