Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny believes his friend, compatriot
and rival Lukasz Fabianski has great potential to be one of
Arsenals future stars.
The 17-year-old Academy stopper knows Fabianski from his days at
Legia Warsaw and was overjoyed when the Gunners made their move for
the Poland international at the end of last season. Szczesny
insists the capture will prove to be a shrewd piece of
business.
Fabianski has the potential to be a big player for Arsenal, he
told Arsenal.com. At the moment he is the best Polish goalkeeper I
think and he is still very young just 22. Hes got big potential
and I think he can do it in the Premiership.
Ive known him for three years or so. I used to train with him at
a goalkeeping school, then we played together at Legia Warsaw. We
are good mates. We kept in touch when I left Legia and now
fortunately we are together at Arsenal.
Hopefully one day Ill be No 1 and hell be No 2, jokes Szczesny,
who made a first-team appearance for Legia aged just 15. But, you
know, I wish him good luck because I really like him and it doesnt
matter where we play in the future, I hope hell be a success in
football and me also.
The youngster certainly seems to be moving in the right direction.
In the summer he was selected for the Under-20 World Cup in Canada.
Although he did not feature in Polands run to the last 16, as one
of the youngest players at the tournament, Szczesny was grateful of
the opportunity.
It was a good experience for me. To be honest I didnt expect my
coach to call me up for that tournament because Im three years
younger than the level. Obviously I didnt play but it was still a
good experience to be part of it. I think its one of the most
important tournaments in the world. For me it was great and, of
course, I really enjoyed it.
With Szczesny on international duty and Fabianski busy adjusting to
life at Arsenal, the two are yet to find the time to catch up.
Having made the same move just over a year ago, the younger Pole is
looking forward to comparing notes.
I spoke to him for about five minutes when he signed to wish him
good luck at Arsenal and so on, he said. Then I spoke to him when
he got back from the pre-season training camp in Austria, but in
time Im sure well have more time to speak about London, Arsenal,
English football, everything."
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