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Wojciech Szczęsny - Player of the Week

Wojciech Szczęsny - Player of the Week

Wojciech Szczęsny - Player Profile

Szczęsny and Poland stun World Champions Germany!

Poland beat Germany in a competitive match for the first time in their history (19 matches) and Germany lost a European qualifying game for the first time since 2007 (33 matches). Poland won the game 2-0 after a fantastic defensive performance to send the Polish fans home happy. Arsenal goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczęsny, was fantastic and made a number of great saves to stop the German attack.Poland open the scoring against Germany.Germany had 29 shots in total, but when the Germans hit the target, they found Szczęsny in great form and he made fine stops from Bellarabi, Muller and Chelsea's Andre Schurrle. The only time he was beaten was after a great shot from Szczęsny's Arsenal teammate, Lukas Podolski, but the crossbar came to Poland's rescue.

"All the players left their hearts on the pitch today."   Wojciech Szczęsny after the Poland v Germany match.

What do we know about Szczęsny?

Szczesny with German teammates Mertesacker and Podolski.Wojciech Szczęsny moved to Arsenal from Poland in 2006. He was only 16. He waited three years to make his first-team debut, against West Bromwich Albion. In the match, he did what all goalkeepers want: he kept a clean sheet. To give Szczęsny regular first-team football, Arsenal loaned him to third-level Brentford, but manager Arsène Wenger said: "I really believe that one day he will be Arsenal's number one. He has all the qualities you want from a goalkeeper." He made his Premier League debut in December 2010 against Manchester United.

Are there any other goalkeepers in the Szczęsny family?

Szczęsny comes from a family of goalkeepers.

  • Maciej Szczęsny is Wojciech's father. He played most of his club football for Legia Warsaw in Poland as a goalkeeper. Maciej is the only player to win a Polish league title for four different clubs: Legia, Widzew Łódź, Polonia Warsaw and Wisła Kraków. He now works as a TV commentator.
  • Jan Szczęsny is Wojciech's older brother. He plays in goal for PKS Radość Warsaw, a team in the Polish lower divisions.

Maciej played seven times for the Polish national team, a record that Wojciech has already beaten. Wojciech made his debut for Poland in November 2009 in a friendly match against Canada.

 

What competition does Szczęsny have at Arsenal?

Szczesny in action for Arsenal.During the 2012-13 season, Szczęsny was replaced in goal by another Polish goalkeeper, Łukasz Fabiański. He only returned when Fabiański was injured. But Szczęsny has no problem with competition, and Fabianski has now left to play for Swansea City. But, Szczęsny now has competition from David Ospina, who impressed at Brazil 2014 for Costa Rica, who reached the quarter-finals. Ospina hasn't played in the Premier League yet, but after Szczęsny got a red card in a recent Champions League match, Ospina will get a chance to impress Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger.

Which famous goalkeepers have Arsenal had in the past?

Arsenal have had some excellent goalkeepers in the past. Some of them include:

  • Bob Wilson (1963-74), later a BBC TV presenter. He was part of the team that won the league title and FA Cup in 1971.
  • Pat Jennings (1977-85) arrived at Arsenal from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. He became the first player in English football to make 1,000 appearances.
  • David Seaman (1990-2003) helped Arsenal to win three league titles and four FA Cups. He was England’s number one during the 1990s.

Szczęsny is only 24 years old, which is very young for a goalkeeper. He is young enough to continue to improve and become an Arsenal legend, too.

What do we know about Arsenal?

Szczęsny in action for Poland.Arsenal are one of the most successful clubs in England. They have won the Premier League title three times in the last 20 years and have not been outside the top four since the 1995-96 season. They have been English champions a total of 13 times, the first in 1931. The only clubs to win more league titles than Arsenal are Manchester United (20) and Liverpool (18). Arsenal are the most successful club in London; Chelsea have four titles and Tottenham two. In 2013, Arsenal were the fourth most valuable football club in the world after Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barcelona.

Watch an interview with Szczęsny talking about Poland's performance against Germany.

Szczesny in action for Arsenal against Chelsea, Getty.

What did you understand?

 
How much did you understand?

Szczęsny and Poland stun World Champions Germany!

Poland beat Germany in a competitive match for the first time in their history (19 matches) and Germany lost a European qualifying game for the first time since 2007 (33 matches). Poland won the game 2-0 after a fantastic defensive performance to send the Polish fans home happy. Arsenal goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczęsny, was fantastic and made a number of great saves to stop the German attack. Germany had 29 shots in total, but when the Germans hit the target, they found Szczęsny in great form and he made fine stops from Bellarabi, Muller and Chelsea's Andre Schurrle. The only time he was beaten was after a great shot from Szczęsny's Arsenal teammate, Lukas Podolski, but the crossbar came to Poland's rescue.

"All the players left their hearts on the pitch today."   Wojciech Szczęsny after the Poland v Germany match.

What do we know about Szczęsny?

Wojciech Szczęsny moved to Arsenal from Poland in 2006. He was only 16. He waited three years to make his first-team debut, against West Bromwich Albion. In the match he did what all goalkeepers want: he kept a clean sheet. To give Szczęsny regular first-team football, Arsenal loaned him to third-level Brentford, but manager Arsène Wenger said: "I really believe that one day he will be Arsenal's number one. He has all the qualities you want from a goalkeeper." He made his Premier League debut in December 2010 against Manchester United.

Are there any other goalkeepers in the Szczęsny family?

Szczęsny comes from a family of goalkeepers.

  • Maciej Szczęsny is Wojciech's father. He played most of his club football for Legia Warsaw in Poland as a goalkeeper. Maciej is the only player to win a Polish league title for four different clubs: Legia, Widzew Łódź, Polonia Warsaw and Wisła Kraków. He now works as a TV commentator.
  • Jan Szczęsny is Wojciech's older brother. He plays in goal for PKS Radość Warsaw, a team in the Polish lower divisions.

Maciej played seven times for the Polish national team, a record that Wojciech has already beaten. Wojciech made his debut for Poland in November 2009 in a friendly match against Canada.

Does Szczęsny have competition to be Arsenal's number one?

During the 2012-13 season, Szczęsny was replaced in goal by another Polish goalkeeper, Łukasz Fabiański. He only returned when Fabiański was injured. But Szczęsny has no problem with competition, and Fabianski has now left to play for Swansea City. But, Szczęsny now has competition from David Ospina, who impressed at Brazil 2014 for Costa Rica, who reached the quarter-finals. Ospina hasn't played in the Premier League yet, but after Szczęsny got a red card in a recent Champions League match, Ospina will get a chance to impress Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger.

Which famous goalkeepers have Arsenal had in the past?

Arsenal have had some excellent goalkeepers in the past. Some of them include:

  • Bob Wilson (1963-74), later a BBC TV presenter. He was part of the team that won the league title and FA Cup in 1971.
  • Pat Jennings (1977-85) arrived at Arsenal from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. He became the first player in English football to make 1,000 appearances.
  • David Seaman (1990-2003) helped Arsenal to win three league titles and four FA Cups. He was England’s number one during the 1990s.

Szczęsny is only 24 years old, which is very young for a goalkeeper. He is young enough to continue to improve and become an Arsenal legend, too.

What do we know about Arsenal?

Arsenal are one of the most successful clubs in England. They have won the Premier League title three times in the last 20 years and have not been outside the top four since the 1995-96 season. They have been English champions a total of 13 times, the first in 1931. The only clubs to win more league titles than Arsenal are Manchester United (20) and Liverpool (18). Arsenal are the most successful club in London; Chelsea have four titles and Tottenham two. In 2013, Arsenal were the fourth most valuable football club in the world after Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barcelona.

Activity 1: In this activity, try to answer the questions to show how much of the article you understand.

 


 

How much did you understand?
Activity 2: In this activity, think about Wojciech Szczęsny's career. Can you put the events in the correct order?

 

 


 
Can you put the words in the correct order?

Can you put the words in the correct order?

Activity 3: In this activity, look at the words and try to make a sentence. How fast can you do it?
 

 

 

Did you know.......?

  • Wojciech Szczęsny is pronounced / vɔɪtek ʃəʃezni: / (Yes, it is difficult!)
  • Poland have been in seven World Cups and have finished in third place on two occasions (1974 and 1982).
  • Arsenal’s previous names were Dial Square, Royal Arsenal and Woolwich Arsenal.
  • Arsenal’s nickname is ‘The Gunners’ because of its origins in a weapons factory.
  • Artur Boruc (Southampton) and Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea City) are 2 other Polish goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Szczesny in action for Arsenal, Getty.

Quiz

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What do you think?

Was Poland's win against Germany the biggest surprise in recent years?

Is Szczesny the best goalkeeper in the Premier League?

Who is the best goalkeeper from your country? 

Write a message and tell us what you think.

 

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Comments

hsn's picture
hsn
13/12/2022
TR
5525
points

She has not been outside the top three since started tennis and the only time she was beaten was first match after long time injury. Now she has competition from ABC.


hsn's picture
hsn
13/12/2022 18:30
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5525

She has not been outside the top three since started tennis and the only time she was beaten was first match after long time injury. Now she has competition from ABC.

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
09/06/2021
BR
1512
points

Not biggest, but certainlly top 3.
I don't think he was, at that time.
Liverpool's Alisson Becker is the best brazilian goalkeeper so far.


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
09/06/2021 22:19
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

Not biggest, but certainlly top 3.
I don't think he was, at that time.
Liverpool's Alisson Becker is the best brazilian goalkeeper so far.

Mo'men Mohammed's picture
Mo'men Mohammed
07/04/2021
EG
438
points

No, It Wasn't.

He was one of the best but in that season "David de Gea " Was the best.

Mahmoud Genish - Zamalek Goalkeeper.


Mo'men Mohammed's picture
Mo'men Mohammed
07/04/2021 13:05
Egypt
Arsenal
438

No, It Wasn't.

He was one of the best but in that season "David de Gea " Was the best.

Mahmoud Genish - Zamalek Goalkeeper.

Elli07
07/01/2021
SE
177
points

The best goalkeeper in sweden is Robin Olsen.


Elli07
07/01/2021 11:40
Sweden
Arsenal
177

The best goalkeeper in sweden is Robin Olsen.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/09/2020
UA
6278
points

The best goalie in Ukraine now seems to be Andrey Piatov - the keeper of Shakhtar and the Ukranian team.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/09/2020 22:56
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

The best goalie in Ukraine now seems to be Andrey Piatov - the keeper of Shakhtar and the Ukranian team.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/09/2020
UA
6278
points

One can only point to the best goalie, but it's only one's opinion, not everybody's.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/09/2020 22:54
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

One can only point to the best goalie, but it's only one's opinion, not everybody's.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/09/2020
UA
6278
points

Any win against Germany is a surprise for any team.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/09/2020 22:52
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

Any win against Germany is a surprise for any team.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
20/06/2020
TR
6510
points

Fernando Muslera is the best goalkeeper in Süper Lig in Turkey.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
20/06/2020 22:07
Turkey
Manchester United
6510

Fernando Muslera is the best goalkeeper in Süper Lig in Turkey.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
20/06/2020
TR
6510
points

Wojciech Szczęsny was amazing during his time at Arsenal.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
20/06/2020 22:06
Turkey
Manchester United
6510

Wojciech Szczęsny was amazing during his time at Arsenal.

kirito2001
13/12/2017
VN
180
points

Hồng Sơn


kirito2001
13/12/2017 14:41
Vietnam
Manchester United
180

Hồng Sơn

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
26/03/2016
TR
1761
points

He is not good for like a team Arsenal,I think.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
26/03/2016 05:27
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

He is not good for like a team Arsenal,I think.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
26/03/2016
TR
1761
points

Fernando Muslera is the best goalkeeper from my country.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
26/03/2016 05:26
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

Fernando Muslera is the best goalkeeper from my country.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
26/03/2016
TR
1761
points

No,there are lot of good goalkeepers such as David De Gea,Thibaut Curtois.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
26/03/2016 05:25
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

No,there are lot of good goalkeepers such as David De Gea,Thibaut Curtois.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
26/03/2016
TR
1761
points

Yes,almost nobody expected this success.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
26/03/2016 05:24
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

Yes,almost nobody expected this success.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016
PS
3705
points

Buffon.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016 12:16
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Buffon.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016
PS
3705
points

Hello, Ospina is from Colombia not from Costa Rica.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016 12:03
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Hello, Ospina is from Colombia not from Costa Rica.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016
PS
3705
points

No he is not.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016 12:02
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

No he is not.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016
PS
3705
points

It was a bit surprising.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
23/02/2016 12:01
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

It was a bit surprising.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
30/11/2015
ME
3557
points

As the best goalkeepers of all times I would nominate Peter Schmeichel, Oliver Kahn and Manuel Neuer.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
30/11/2015 20:56
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

As the best goalkeepers of all times I would nominate Peter Schmeichel, Oliver Kahn and Manuel Neuer.

nikosonris
13/11/2015
UA
2453
points

It's a good tradition in our country to bring up excellent goalkeepers, e.g. Andriy Pyatov (Shakhtar Donetsk & our national team goalie).


nikosonris
13/11/2015 13:37
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

It's a good tradition in our country to bring up excellent goalkeepers, e.g. Andriy Pyatov (Shakhtar Donetsk & our national team goalie).

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
02/11/2015
ME
3557
points

The best goalkeeper from my country was Ivica Kralj.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
02/11/2015 19:46
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

The best goalkeeper from my country was Ivica Kralj.

Helio Bandeira
02/01/2014
0
points

In my country, the goalkeepers are most argentinos and Brazilian.


Helio Bandeira
02/01/2014 22:32


0

In my country, the goalkeepers are most argentinos and Brazilian.

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Top Scorers
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1mobeckham6510
2Alex_from_Ukraine6278
3hsn5525
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8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
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Club ranking
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1Manchester United141846
2Liverpool110282
3Chelsea88559
4Arsenal85717
5Manchester City56951
6Tottenham Hotspur19169
7Newcastle United10457
8West Ham United7454
9AFC Bournemouth4454
10Crystal Palace4240

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Average: 4 (1 vote)

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