I know, I know. I’ve taken that quote out of context and turned it into a headline which you couldn’t resist clicking on…but young Wojciech did say it, sort of, in a jokey way.
You may have noticed in the last few weeks that Szczesny has grown somewhat more confident in and around the penalty box when it comes to dealing with back passes (and taking out Ashley Cole).
This newfound gregariousness on the ball saw him perform not one, but two Cruyff turns (see here) while attempting to escape the clutches of a Marseille striker on Tuesday night, in a move which recalled the antics of legendary Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.
Speaking about the comparison, Szczesny, who was born a year after the Zimbabwean conceded to Michael Thomas at Anfield (any excuse), told the Daily Mail:
“I have heard of him. I will look him up on YouTube. He can be my new role model.”
Let’s hope that after he has watched Grobbelaar arsing-about on the interweb he checks out the match-fixing allegations which dogged the tached-stopper for a decade and changes his mind.
Paying further lip service to his confidence as a ‘fifth defender’ and Szczesny continued:
“That’s why they called me the young Zinedine when I was five years old! You could see that from that [the turn against Marseille] I’d like to have been an outfield player.”
Just remember you’re a goalkeeper Szcz. We can’t afford to drop points so you can practice your 3 star FIFA skills on the pitch.
Szczesny please remember your a keep, that is until you score your first hat trick
I’d like him to forget the dribbling skills and Grobbelaar antics, and concentrate on his distribution. That’s the weakest part of his game. Often from goal kicks and clearances we see the ball ending up in the opponents’ possession.
When he gets a backpass he has two options – play the ball on the ground and pass to a defender, or whack the ball upfield / off the pitch as hard as possible. Seems to me you’re complaining about both of them, whichever he chooses. That hardly seems fair to him. It’s our defenders who are passing back to him whenever they get under pressure (As they are holding a high line and thus have less time on the ball) and then not moving back towards him and into space quickly enough so that he can make a safe… Read more »
Mate, no need to get your knickers in a twist. I have no problem with the rest of his game. I’d just like him to be a bit more accurate with his kicks. Is that really too much to ask?
As for goal kicks, they are always a lottery, but for any goalie the odds are stacked towards the opposing defence. They can attack the ball as it comes to them. This gives them an advantage and most goal kicks end up going to the opposition. Chesney should always try to kick his goal kicks off of the opposite end of the pitch. That way the opposition goalie would keep kicking the ball back to us. Trust me, I havenow realised I am indeed a tactical genius. This would work so well we would regularly hit 85% possession each match.… Read more »
I believe Argonaut’s point was that Szczesny’s clearances often end up at the feet of the opposition. Szczesny himself has acknowledged this and said that he has extra work his Wenger/Pat Rice to correct it.. Surely that proves that his distribution is a weakness of his?
(and taking out Ashley Cole).
That was a nice move.
Life’s Good at The Arsenal.
Man I love Szczesny!
heh. cocky sonofabitch
As long as he doesn’t get caught out good for him. All great keepers are a bit crazy and I can still picture his smirk after pole-axing G*reth B*le. Also, anyone who has to field the question “well, how did you wipe your arse then?” and then goes on to become a brilliant keeper is entitled to be a bit crazy.
Nice one SZCZ…. but just you remember your a keeper first and foremost.
Fuck that I love it keeps u on the edge of your seat and if god forbid he cocks it up ad they score we just need to go up ad score another!! What a leg-end he is becoming!
He can perform all the pirouettes he wants, as long as he keeps maintaining clean sheets.
I <3 Szczesny
He’s a funny kid, and like all great comedians, half of his funniest material is unintentional….hang on, you’re telling me he could be the greatest keeper since the Seaman / Schmeichel era as well as a top comic? Good on the lad!