Sayōnara for Szczesny?

Late yesterday many media outlets and social media were abuzz with reports that Arsenal and AS Roma were in negotiations for a loan deal for keeper Wojciech Szczesny. If true it either could be viewed as closing the door on his tenure at the club or the start of an ambitious reclamation project.

When Arsenal signed Petr Cech at the start of the transfer window, it was widely assumed that David Ospina would be on the outs. Stories went so far as to say there were talks between Arsenal and Fenerbache for the Columbian but as days grew longer, no deal materialized and it looked like Arsenal could very well have a stable of keepers to choose from.

Then Szczesny decided to follow some Roma players and well – all hell broke loose. As Arseblog News highlighted what seemed to be the genesis of this story yesterday in their piece SZCZESNY + INSTAGRAM + AS ROMA = TRANSFER STORY. It seemed that English media and social media looked to draw the conclusion that was a sure sign. However, as Arseblog News noted, not the Italian media who seemed to have more meat to this bone than the English.

Still, as the day went on, many of the English stories became more ‘solid,’ and there does seem to be something here – at least in our opinion.

So that leaves everyone asking – why?  When Arsenal signed Cech, Szczesny took to the airwaves (Social media) to announce he was glad to have him at the club and learn from him. Szczesny also at the end of the season declared his love for Arsenal and support of the manager, especially after his father’s recent round of criticism of the Arsenal manager.

That followed five years of often spirited commitment to the club, beginning when he exploded on to the scene in 2010 in mid-season against Man United. Even in the loss he showed that he may very well live up to the manager’s claim:

“We have identified Wojciech as a future great, great goalkeeper.” He would add in January 2010 “I really believe in him that he will one day be Arsenal’s number one. He has all the qualities you want from a goalkeeper.”

With that bold claim and some outstanding performances, as recent as against West Ham in December, one has to wonder where it has all gone wrong for him. Well, actually do you?

It’s no doubt that the keeper possesses all the technical traits to be a good keeper – some would say a really good keeper, but that is only part of the story for any player. You can be technically gifted, but it will only take you so far. If you do not possess the intellect and mentality to play the game, it will eventually come and bite you in the ass.

This is what it looks like has happened to someone with so much promise. And why, in my estimation, Szczesny moving on in some form seems a plausible option this summer. As much as David Ospina doesn’t seem to have the frame for the Premier League – he has one essential element that the young pole does not – he is right between the ears.

Szczesny showed in the 13/14 season in sharing the league’s golden glove with Cech that he can pull it together. But the problems of his maturity and ability to handle the spotlight continue to plague him.

Szczesny is getting a reputation more for his antics off the field than the performances on the field. Rather than focus on improving his game, he takes to social media to share his piano playing antics or selfie taking skills (in fairness he has stopped this), or he is busy smoking in the boys room.

Beyond that, you’ve always got the sense that because Szczesny was lauded so early and there wasn’t pressure from the other keepers at Arsenal that he had in fact arrived and didn’t need to be pushed hard. And why would he push himself when he was the next best thing at Arsenal in goal since Mad Jens.

A loan for the player makes sense. It actually makes more sense than any move involving David Ospina. Arsenal have only just signed Ospina and he still offers a more mature, calming prsence in goal. However, without a lot of game time behind him it’s hard to define his true value, even though his tenure in goal was more stable and Arsenal performed much better than they did with Szczesny in goal. Additionally, Ospina has the professionalism to quietly accept being a number 2 and as a number 2 behind Cech he seems able.

For Szczesny the key is playing time. Maturity comes from learning and watching but also from playing. At Roma he will be playing for a team considered to be in the hunt for Serie A title and playing in the Champion’s League. Szczesny will either thrive or dive and if he doesn’t thrive and grow as Arsenal hopes he does – then he could be sold on.

If he does, then he eventually comes back at the time to compete with Cech (and likely force Ospina to move).

IF this story is true, it is likely the Last Chance Saloon for Szczesny. He needs to mature and inspire the confidence not only of his coaches but the players he plays with. I always felt that on the field the team never fully was confident with him. Even in 13/14 I felt it was Per who spent more time commanding the back 5 then the keeper and that the solidity of the CB pairing was as much a reason or the run of clean sheets then the keeper.

That’s not to diminish Szczesny’s role in 13/14 – he had a role to play. He still has all the attributes of a good keeper. He needs to find the maturity to keep him moving in that right direction. That’s why this move makes more sense.