lead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandWojciech Szczesny believes Arsenal are building something special
Wojciech Szczesny believes Arsenal are building something special
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny believes the Gunners are building “something really special” under Mikel Arteta after ending their Premier League trophy drought last season.
After several close calls, Arsenal finally managed to get over the line and clinched the 2025-26 title after they finished seven points in front of Manchester City to lift the trophy for the first time since 2004.
Their season could have been even better but they fell agonisingly short of winning the Champions League after a penalty shootout defeat to Paris St Germain in the final in May.
Szczesny, who is an Arsenal fan, joined the club as a youth player in 2006 and went on to make 181 appearances across 11 years at the club, lifting the FA Cup twice.
Wojciech Szczesny hoists the FA Cup, one of two he won at Arsenal alongside current manager Mikel Arteta, far left
Wojciech Szczesny hoists the FA Cup, one of two he won at Arsenal alongside current manager Mikel Arteta, far left
Speaking at St George’s Park, Szczesny said: “I loved it. I think they’re doing something really special. It’s been the case for the last three years.
“They’ve come up short a couple of times and last year, they were phenomenal. They definitely won the Premier League. Just missed out on the Champions League. So I suffered a little bit of that game.
“It’s been a great few years and Mikel, he’s doing a great job. So I’m very happy for them.
“It’s a big relief because I’ve been an Arsenal fan for 30 years now. So very relieved. I’m very happy for them.
“Hopefully, they can repeat that this season. In the Champions League, I do wish them to get to the final, but if they come up against a certain Catalan team, then I won’t be supporting them. That would be the first time in my life that I won’t support Arsenal.”
Szczesny is part of the Barcelona squad that have travelled over to England to face Birmingham in a pre-season friendly on Friday.
They are still to welcome new signing Anthony Gordon into the group following his £69.3million move from Newcastle but he is expected to join up with the squad in the next fortnight after helping England reach the World Cup semi-final, in which he scored before Argentina hit back to win 2-1.
Szczesny is excited to see what Gordon can bring.
“We played against Newcastle twice last year and he’s a very good player, very fast, direct. He’ll be a threat for us,” Szczesny told reporters.
“Another option that we have offensively. We’re not short of those, but I’m sure he’ll be very useful.
“Marcus (Rashford) was a big part of our success last year. Hopefully, Anthony can do the same for the next few years to come. It’s a big responsibility to play for such a big club.”
Anthony Gordon is soon to join up with his new Barcelona colleagues
Anthony Gordon is soon to join up with his new Barcelona colleagues (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Szczesny announced a brief retirement in August 2024 before coming back to play for Barca in October that year.
The goalkeeper, who has gone on to make 42 appearances for the club, admits he never thought he would come out of retirement.
He added: “It is kind of a bonus to my career. I retired in 2024, and I didn’t even imagine myself coming back to football, now I get to play with the very best in Europe.
“I was out of the game for three-and-a-half months and I wasn’t exactly a professional athlete at that point. So coming back and being able to compete at this level brings me a little bit of pride.”