Sunday 13 January 2013

Wojciech Szczesny: Arsene Wenger is still God at Arsenal - The Sun

ARSENE WENGER'S 16-year Arsenal reign is under threat as their topsy-turvy season baffles even their most passionate fans.

But according to Wojciech Szczesny, Wenger is God at the Emirates — and no one can touch him.

Poland international keeper Szczesny said: "In the club he's God. Nobody can rebel against him. The God is only one.

"It's not that easy to cross your boss in England. Those who try it usually don't get first-team opportunities.

"Even not shaking hands after the game has its consequences.

"You can get away with murder in Poland but not so much in England."

Wenger and his side host Premier League champions Manchester City in the day's second big showdown after Liverpool's trip to leaders United.

And in a candid interview with the Polish version of Playboy, Gunners No 1 Szczesny gives a fascinating insight into life in the Premier League — and behind the scenes at Wenger's Arsenal.

Szczesny, 22, has risen through the ranks since joining the club as a trainee in 2008.

And he admits that one of his happiest days at the Emirates came at the beginning of last season when Wenger told him 'You're my first-choice keeper'.

Szczesny said: "Mr Wenger invited the goalkeepers for a meeting and told us who was No 1, No 2 and No 3.

"Since then I've felt much more responsible for the team and I've had much more respect from my team-mates.

"There was a period in my life when I used to run down team-mates but now I don't do it, I try to advise them.

"I know from my own experience that when someone runs me down I just say 'F*** off' and do my job."

Arsenal's most bitter rivals are their North London neighbours Tottenham and Szczesny said: "I couldn't play there — never ever!

"I can't imagine any circumstances which could force me to play there.

"There are some things you can't do in your life."

But what would happen if Spurs came in with an offer of four times his Arsenal salary?

He said: "I have an ambition to have a contract like that at Arsenal.

"I have a lot of respect for players like Paolo Maldini and Paul Scholes, who spent their entire careers with one club. I dream about the same.

"I hope in 14 years we'll speak about my two decades at Arsenal. I know we haven't won any trophies recently but I can't change clubs because of that.

"I just must work even harder to help us win trophies."

Although Szczesny has yet to lift any silverware with the Gunners, he did help them pocket plenty of gold in 2011.

He added: "The penalty against Udinese in last season's Champions League second-leg qualifier — I helped the club earn £25million.

"Arsenal might have missed the competition. It was incredible.

"In that moment I felt a very important member of the team.

"I understood I could be not only a good keeper but also lead my team to victories. I am very fit because in Poland, keepers must do a lot of gymnastics. This is why I think English keepers are not fit enough."

One area where Szczesny does not get any respect from team-mates is in his taste in music.

He said: "In the changing room, guys don't like it when I sing Bruno Mars or Polish songs. And before games I always listen to Carlos Santana's Samba Pa Ti." At 6ft 5in and 13st Szczesny, who is the son of former Poland keeper Maciej Szczesny, can look after himself on the pitch.

He added: "Stoke play in a typical British way and it was a game against them at home where I was the first to start to scuffle.

"Ricardo Fuller just laughed and said, 'You'll see what happens when we play at home'.

"It was hard. We lost 3-1 and I felt pain everywhere.

"And I've found I swear more at my opponents — especially before penalties. I did it with Emmanuel Adebayor last season. He scored but the fans were happy because of my behaviour.

"At the Emirates 'traitors' are not liked. I take after my father in those type of things.

"On the pitch, I'm like a son of a bitch but after the final whistle, I shake an opponent's hand and we congratulate each other."

g.sweet@the-sun.co.uk

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