Wojciech Szczęsny
Encyclopedia
Wojciech Tomasz Szczęsny is a Polish
footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Arsenal
and the Poland national football team
. He is the son of former Polish goalkeeper Maciej Szczęsny
.
Szczęsny is well known for his breakthrough season in 2010–11, which he started as the 4th choice goalkeeper behind Manuel Almunia
, Łukasz Fabiański, and Vito Mannone
, but ended it as first choice. His remarkable composure, agility, and command of his area led to his establishment as Arsenal's first choice at just 20 years of age. After winning his place in the first team, Szczęsny expressed his desire of continuing his career as Arsenal first choice goalkeeper for 15 years. English speakers have difficulty pronouncing his name and he is frequently referred to as "Voy-Check" (correctly), "Chesney" or "Shesney" (both incorrect).
. His father, Maciej
, is a former Polish international goalkeeper, and his elder brother, Jan, also plays as a goalkeeper, currently for Gwardia Warszawa
in the 7th tier of the Polish league system, the club where where their father Maciej Szczęsny
once played.Szczęsny is popularly known as "Tex" , a name he picked during his loan stint at Brentford.
youth set-up, progressing to the reserve team during the 2008–09 season. In November 2008, he lost his balance while lifting a heavy weight and both his forearms were fractured, causing him to miss five months. Szczęsny appeared on the first team bench for the first time during the Premier League match against Stoke City
on 24 May 2009. At the start of the 2009–10 season he was promoted to the senior squad and given the number 53. He received a call up for the UEFA Champions League
match against Standard Liège
on 16 September 2009, featuring on the bench.
On 22 September 2009, Szczęsny made his first team debut in the League Cup
, keeping a clean sheet against West Bromwich Albion
.
In December 2009, Arsène Wenger
revealed that he and the rest of Arsenal's coaching staff have high hopes for Szczęsny, saying "We have identified Wojciech as a future great, great goalkeeper." In January 2010, Wenger said: "I really believe in him that he will one day be Arsenal's No 1. He has all the qualities you want from a goalkeeper."
team Brentford
on a month's loan. He saved a second-half penalty in his second match in the 1–0 loss to Wycombe Wanderers
. Szczęsny completed his fifth game for Brentford on 12 December 2009, where he made a number of saves to keep out Leeds United
and was given the Man of the Match
award. On 22 December, Arsenal agreed to extend the loan for a second month until 17 January 2010, and then until 31 January. Finally, it was extended until 31 May. In April, Brentford manager Andy Scott
said: "His performances suggest that he would not be out of place in the Championship or even the Premier League. It has reached the stage where when he lets in a goal we wonder why he hasn't saved it."
at St James' Park
. He showed real quality by stopping numerous attempts from Newcastle players. He made a splendid diving save to deny Alan Smith his first goal for Newcastle United, and kept Arsenal on level terms. Arsenal then went on to win the game 4–0. He signed a new long-term contract on 11 November 2010. Szczęsny thanked his personal goalkeeping coach, Josh Phelan, and his father Maciej Szczęsny (who was also a keeper for the Polish national team), for helping him progress in his breakthrough season. Szczęsny made his Premier League debut in the 1–0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford
on 13 December 2010, deputising for Łukasz Fabiański and Manuel Almunia
, who both missed the match through injury. On 8 January 2011, he started the FA Cup
third-round match against conceding from a penalty scored by Leeds midfielder Robert Snodgrass
. Despite diving the correct way and getting a hand to the ball, the strike had too much power for Szczęsny to keep out. The game finished 1–1. The following weekend, Szczęsny kept his first league clean sheet in a 3–0 win over at the Boleyn Ground
.
Following Szczęsny's form after playing consecutive Premier League matches, Wenger confirmed that Szczęsny would remain Arsenal's first choice goalkeeper, stating "he's done nothing for me to take him out." On 16 February, Szczęsny starred in his Champions League debut against Barcelona at the Emirates. The game finished 2–1 for Arsenal with Szczęsny making a number of saves. On 27 February, Szczęsny let in a late Birmingham City
winner in the League Cup Final. In the 89th minute, a header caused confusion between Szczęsny and defender Laurent Koscielny
where the latter pulled out of a clearance at the last minute causing the former to lose control of the ball, which rolled right into the path of Birmingham player Obafemi Martins
, who converted from near the penalty spot. On 8 March, Szczęsny started in the Champions League game against Barcelona only to be substituted in the 19th minute for an injury later to be confirmed as a dislocated finger. He was sidelined for six weeks, but was immediately reinstated to the first XI upon his return to fitness, playing 90 minutes in Arsenal's game against Liverpool
. Szczęsny enjoyed a successful game, making several crucial saves and holding his ground in front of arguably one of the most testing strike partnerships in the Premiership consisting of Luis Suárez
and Andy Carroll
. However he couldn't manage to save Dirk Kuyt
's 102nd minute penalty, leaving Arsenal and Liverpool to settle for a 1–1 draw. On 20 April, Szczęsny played in a North London derby
against Tottenham Hotspur
. He brought down Spurs winger Aaron Lennon
to give Tottenham a penalty, but also made a number of impressive saves during the match, which ended 3–3. He was voted as Arsenal's fourth best player of the 2010–11 season on Arsenal.com, Arsenal's official website.
. Szczęsny was given the number 13 instead of number 53, formerly worn by Alexander Hleb then Jens Lehmann
on his second spell at the club. He played the first match of the 2011–12 Premier League season, a 0–0 draw with , this making him Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper. On 24 August Szczęsny made a vital penalty save in the 59th minute of play against Antonio Di Natale
in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League
qualifying round. Arsenal were tied 1–1 (2–1 on aggregate) against Udinese Calcio
and Szczęsny's penalty save proved vital in securing Arsenal a spot in the lucrative group stage of the competition for the 14th straight season. Arsenal went on to win the game 2–1 (3–1 on aggregate) with goals coming from Robin van Persie
and Theo Walcott
. He also played in the 8–2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford
which turned out to be Arsenal's heaviest defeat in the Premier League and the first time they conceded 8 goals for over 115 years.
to date. He was also placed on stand-by for the Polish national team
by manager Leo Beenhakker
for the team's World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland
and Slovenia
in early September 2009. However, since none of Poland's top three goalkeepers dropped out, he was not called up and instead played the U-21 qualifiers against Spain and Finland. He has a total of six caps for the U-21 squad.
In October 2009 new manager Franciszek Smuda
sent Szczęsny his first call up to the full national side
, for the friendly matches against Romania
and Canada
. Szczęsny made his debut versus Canada on 18 November 2009, coming on as a 46th minute substitute for Tomasz Kuszczak
. He earned his second cap and his first full match in a February 2011 friendly against Norway
.
Wojciech had a superb performance against the Germany national team
on September 6, 2011. The final result of the match was a 2–2 draw, however Wojciech made 8 critical saves that kept Poland from conceding anymore goals. His performance in this match earned him praise from former German international goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn
.
Apps – Appearances; G.C. – Goals conceded; C.S. – Clean sheets.
Runner-up:
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and the Poland national football team
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
. He is the son of former Polish goalkeeper Maciej Szczęsny
Maciej Szczesny
Maciej Wawrzyniec Szczęsny is a former footballer from Poland, who played for Legia Warsaw, Widzew Łódź, Polonia Warsaw and Wisła Kraków as a goalkeeper. He participated in the UEFA Champions League with Legia Warsaw and Widzew Łódź...
.
Szczęsny is well known for his breakthrough season in 2010–11, which he started as the 4th choice goalkeeper behind Manuel Almunia
Manuel Almunia
Manuel Almunia Rivero is a professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for Arsenal.-Early career:Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Almunia started his senior career with Osasuna's reserve team in 1997, playing two seasons with the team in Segunda División B...
, Łukasz Fabiański, and Vito Mannone
Vito Mannone
Vito Mannone is an Italian footballer who plays for Arsenal, as a goalkeeper and is a 'homegrown' player in Arsenal's official . He has made 9 appearances for Arsenal, the most notable of which was his Man of the Match display against Fulham in the 2009/2010 season that earned his side all 3...
, but ended it as first choice. His remarkable composure, agility, and command of his area led to his establishment as Arsenal's first choice at just 20 years of age. After winning his place in the first team, Szczęsny expressed his desire of continuing his career as Arsenal first choice goalkeeper for 15 years. English speakers have difficulty pronouncing his name and he is frequently referred to as "Voy-Check" (correctly), "Chesney" or "Shesney" (both incorrect).
Early life
Before turning to football, Szczęsny first learned football and later excelled at the javelinJavelin
A Javelin is a light spear intended for throwing. It is commonly known from the modern athletic discipline, the Javelin throw.Javelin may also refer to:-Aviation:* ATG Javelin, an American-Israeli civil jet aircraft, under development...
. His father, Maciej
Maciej Szczesny
Maciej Wawrzyniec Szczęsny is a former footballer from Poland, who played for Legia Warsaw, Widzew Łódź, Polonia Warsaw and Wisła Kraków as a goalkeeper. He participated in the UEFA Champions League with Legia Warsaw and Widzew Łódź...
, is a former Polish international goalkeeper, and his elder brother, Jan, also plays as a goalkeeper, currently for Gwardia Warszawa
Gwardia Warszawa
Gwardia Warszawa is a Polish football club based in Warsaw, Poland. The club was founded in 1948 and is currently playing in the Polish A klasa . It participated in the Polish 1st League between 1953–1960 , 1962–1966 , 1967–1968, 1969–1975, 1978–1979 and 1981–1983...
in the 7th tier of the Polish league system, the club where where their father Maciej Szczęsny
Maciej Szczesny
Maciej Wawrzyniec Szczęsny is a former footballer from Poland, who played for Legia Warsaw, Widzew Łódź, Polonia Warsaw and Wisła Kraków as a goalkeeper. He participated in the UEFA Champions League with Legia Warsaw and Widzew Łódź...
once played.Szczęsny is popularly known as "Tex" , a name he picked during his loan stint at Brentford.
Club career
Szczęsny trained at Agrykola Warszawa as a young player; soon, Legia Warsaw's goalkeeping coach, Krzysztof Dowhań, was so impressed with the young keeper, he allowed him to take part in a training camp with Legia's first team at the age of 15, joining them afterwards.Arsenal
In 2006, Szczęsny joined the ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
youth set-up, progressing to the reserve team during the 2008–09 season. In November 2008, he lost his balance while lifting a heavy weight and both his forearms were fractured, causing him to miss five months. Szczęsny appeared on the first team bench for the first time during the Premier League match against Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on 24 May 2009. At the start of the 2009–10 season he was promoted to the senior squad and given the number 53. He received a call up for the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
match against Standard Liège
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
on 16 September 2009, featuring on the bench.
On 22 September 2009, Szczęsny made his first team debut in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, keeping a clean sheet against West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
.
In December 2009, Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
revealed that he and the rest of Arsenal's coaching staff have high hopes for Szczęsny, saying "We have identified Wojciech as a future great, great goalkeeper." In January 2010, Wenger said: "I really believe in him that he will one day be Arsenal's No 1. He has all the qualities you want from a goalkeeper."
Brentford (loan)
On 20 November 2009, Szczęsny joined League OneFootball League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
team Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
on a month's loan. He saved a second-half penalty in his second match in the 1–0 loss to Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
. Szczęsny completed his fifth game for Brentford on 12 December 2009, where he made a number of saves to keep out Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
and was given the Man of the Match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
award. On 22 December, Arsenal agreed to extend the loan for a second month until 17 January 2010, and then until 31 January. Finally, it was extended until 31 May. In April, Brentford manager Andy Scott
Andy Scott (English footballer)
Andrew "Andy" Scott is an English former professional footballer whose clubs included Sheffield United, Brentford, Oxford United and Leyton Orient. He is currently manager of League Two team Rotherham United, after being sacked from Brentford in February 2011. During his playing career, Scott was...
said: "His performances suggest that he would not be out of place in the Championship or even the Premier League. It has reached the stage where when he lets in a goal we wonder why he hasn't saved it."
2010–11
On 27 October 2010, Szczęsny made his second appearance for Arsenal in the League Cup, keeping a clean sheet against Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
at St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
. He showed real quality by stopping numerous attempts from Newcastle players. He made a splendid diving save to deny Alan Smith his first goal for Newcastle United, and kept Arsenal on level terms. Arsenal then went on to win the game 4–0. He signed a new long-term contract on 11 November 2010. Szczęsny thanked his personal goalkeeping coach, Josh Phelan, and his father Maciej Szczęsny (who was also a keeper for the Polish national team), for helping him progress in his breakthrough season. Szczęsny made his Premier League debut in the 1–0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
on 13 December 2010, deputising for Łukasz Fabiański and Manuel Almunia
Manuel Almunia
Manuel Almunia Rivero is a professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for Arsenal.-Early career:Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Almunia started his senior career with Osasuna's reserve team in 1997, playing two seasons with the team in Segunda División B...
, who both missed the match through injury. On 8 January 2011, he started the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
third-round match against conceding from a penalty scored by Leeds midfielder Robert Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass is a Scottish footballer who plays for Leeds United as a winger comfortable playing on either side of the pitch. He can also play as a forward...
. Despite diving the correct way and getting a hand to the ball, the strike had too much power for Szczęsny to keep out. The game finished 1–1. The following weekend, Szczęsny kept his first league clean sheet in a 3–0 win over at the Boleyn Ground
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
.
Following Szczęsny's form after playing consecutive Premier League matches, Wenger confirmed that Szczęsny would remain Arsenal's first choice goalkeeper, stating "he's done nothing for me to take him out." On 16 February, Szczęsny starred in his Champions League debut against Barcelona at the Emirates. The game finished 2–1 for Arsenal with Szczęsny making a number of saves. On 27 February, Szczęsny let in a late Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
winner in the League Cup Final. In the 89th minute, a header caused confusion between Szczęsny and defender Laurent Koscielny
Laurent Koscielny
Laurent Koscielny is a French footballer who plays as a defender for Arsenal. He primarily plays as a centre back but he can also play as an right back, a position where he started his career. Koscielny is a youth product of Guingamp. He is described as an aggressive, uncompromising and...
where the latter pulled out of a clearance at the last minute causing the former to lose control of the ball, which rolled right into the path of Birmingham player Obafemi Martins
Obafemi Martins
Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a striker for Rubin Kazan and the Nigeria national team. He is known for his speed on the ball....
, who converted from near the penalty spot. On 8 March, Szczęsny started in the Champions League game against Barcelona only to be substituted in the 19th minute for an injury later to be confirmed as a dislocated finger. He was sidelined for six weeks, but was immediately reinstated to the first XI upon his return to fitness, playing 90 minutes in Arsenal's game against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. Szczęsny enjoyed a successful game, making several crucial saves and holding his ground in front of arguably one of the most testing strike partnerships in the Premiership consisting of Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez (Uruguayan footballer)
Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz , commonly known as Luis Suárez and nicknamed "El Pistolero" , is a Uruguayan footballer who plays for Liverpool and the Uruguayan national team...
and Andy Carroll
Andy Carroll
Andrew Thomas "Andy" Carroll is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Liverpool and the England national team....
. However he couldn't manage to save Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt is a Dutch footballer who plays for English club Liverpool. He started his career as a striker, but he has been converted into a winger and plays the position for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team....
's 102nd minute penalty, leaving Arsenal and Liverpool to settle for a 1–1 draw. On 20 April, Szczęsny played in a North London derby
North London derby
The North London derby is the name of the football local derby between the two major teams in North London – Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.-History:...
against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. He brought down Spurs winger Aaron Lennon
Aaron Lennon
Aaron Justin Lennon is an English footballer who plays as a right winger for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the England national team.-Early life:...
to give Tottenham a penalty, but also made a number of impressive saves during the match, which ended 3–3. He was voted as Arsenal's fourth best player of the 2010–11 season on Arsenal.com, Arsenal's official website.
2011–12
Szczęsny played a half in each of Arsenal's pre-season games on their tour of Malaysia and ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Szczęsny was given the number 13 instead of number 53, formerly worn by Alexander Hleb then Jens Lehmann
Jens Lehmann
Jens Gerhard Lehmann is a German former football goalkeeper. He was voted UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year for the 1996–97 and 2005–06 seasons, and he has been selected for three World Cup squads. He was a member of Arsenal's Invincibles, playing every match of their famous unbeaten title winning...
on his second spell at the club. He played the first match of the 2011–12 Premier League season, a 0–0 draw with , this making him Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper. On 24 August Szczęsny made a vital penalty save in the 59th minute of play against Antonio Di Natale
Antonio di Natale
Antonio Di Natale is an Italian footballer who plays for Serie A club Udinese.A versatile striker with a lethal eye for goal, Di Natale can play anywhere in the front line, as a lone striker or out wide in an attacking trident. He is notable for his dribbling skills, pace and for his ability to...
in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualifying round. Arsenal were tied 1–1 (2–1 on aggregate) against Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
and Szczęsny's penalty save proved vital in securing Arsenal a spot in the lucrative group stage of the competition for the 14th straight season. Arsenal went on to win the game 2–1 (3–1 on aggregate) with goals coming from Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Arsenal and the Dutch national team. He is a youth product of Feyenoord. Having joined Arsenal in 2004, Van Persie became the club captain on 16 August 2011...
and Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott
Theo James Walcott is an English footballer of Jamaican descent who plays for Arsenal and the England national team. Walcott is a product of the Southampton F.C. Academy. He is a striker who is usually deployed on the right wing as a wide forward to exploit his speed...
. He also played in the 8–2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
which turned out to be Arsenal's heaviest defeat in the Premier League and the first time they conceded 8 goals for over 115 years.
International career
Szczęsny also plays for Poland's U-21 team and has started all three 2011 European Championship qualifying matches2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Group 4
The teams competing in Group 4 of the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championships qualifying competition were Finland, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Poland and Spain.-Standings:Qualification...
to date. He was also placed on stand-by for the Polish national team
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
by manager Leo Beenhakker
Leo Beenhakker
Leo Beenhakker is an international Dutch football coach, who is the current Sports Director of Újpest FC.- Coaching career :...
for the team's World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
and Slovenia
Slovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
in early September 2009. However, since none of Poland's top three goalkeepers dropped out, he was not called up and instead played the U-21 qualifiers against Spain and Finland. He has a total of six caps for the U-21 squad.
In October 2009 new manager Franciszek Smuda
Franciszek Smuda
Franciszek Smuda is a Polish football manager and former player. Who played in Poland, the United States, and Germany. In 1983 he turned to coaching, becoming the manager of Widzew Łódź, Wisła Kraków, Legia Warsaw and Lech Poznań, among others. He has won three Polish league titles...
sent Szczęsny his first call up to the full national side
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
, for the friendly matches against Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
and Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
. Szczęsny made his debut versus Canada on 18 November 2009, coming on as a 46th minute substitute for Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Mirosław Kuszczak is a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Manchester United and the Polish national team.Born in Krosno Odrzańskie, Kuszczak has previously played for Śląsk Wrocław in Poland, as well as for the German clubs KFC Uerdingen 05 and Hertha BSC, before...
. He earned his second cap and his first full match in a February 2011 friendly against Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
.
Wojciech had a superb performance against the Germany national team
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
on September 6, 2011. The final result of the match was a 2–2 draw, however Wojciech made 8 critical saves that kept Poland from conceding anymore goals. His performance in this match earned him praise from former German international goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn
Oliver Kahn
Oliver Rolf Kahn is a former German football goalkeeper. He started his career in the Karlsruher SC Junior team. He had his debut game in the professional squad in 1987...
.
Club
- Statistics accurate as of 23 November 2011
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total Apps G.C. C.S. Apps G.C. C.S. Apps G.C. C.S. Apps G.C. C.S. Apps G.C. C.S. Arsenal Arsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...2009–10 2009–10 in English footballThe 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 Brentford Brentford F.C.Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
(loan)2009–10 2009–10 in English footballThe 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...28 30 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 30 10 Arsenal Arsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...2010–11 2010–11 in English footballThe 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May...15 19 6 2 2 0 5 3 3 2 1 1 24 25 10 2011–12 2011–12 in English footballThe 2011–12 season is the 132nd season of competitive football in England.The season began on 5 August 2011 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier starting eight days later, League Football Conference Starting one day before Premier League starts.The Championship, League One, and League Two...12 22 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 4 3 19 26 7 Arsenal total 27 41 10 2 2 0 6 3 4 9 5 4 44 51 18 Career total 55 71 20 2 2 0 6 3 4 9 5 4 72 81 28
Apps – Appearances; G.C. – Goals conceded; C.S. – Clean sheets.
Arsenal
Winner:- Premier Academy LeaguePremier Academy LeagueThe Premier Academy League is the top level of youth football in England. It is contested between the Academy sides of The Premier League and some Football League clubs, including Welsh side Cardiff City...
: 2008–09 - FA Youth CupFA Youth CupThe Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
: 2008–09
Runner-up:
- Football League CupLeague CupIn association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
: 2010–112010–11 Football League CupThe 2010–11 Football League Cup, known as the Carling Cup due to the competition's sponsorship by lager brand Carling, was the 51st season of the Football League Cup, a knock-out competition for England's top 92 football clubs....
External links
- Wojciech Szczęsny's profile at Arsenal.com
- Wojciech Szczęsny's national team stats at PZPN.plPolish Football AssociationThe Polish Football Association is the governing body of football in Poland. It organizes the Polish football leagues , the Polish Cup, the Polish SuperCup, the Polish League Cup, and the Polish national football team...
- ESPN Profile