Arsenal: Certainty is needed with Wojciech Szczesny

Wojciech Szczesny has not been included in Arsenal’s preseason squad for their tour to Australia. As such, rumours linking with a move to Juventus have again arisen. Certainty is needed to appease this situation.

Football clubs need certainty to progress. That is why Arsenal were so stagnant during the latter stages of last season. The lack of clarity and intention from Arsene Wenger and the board meant that no one was able to work with confidence and conviction, allowing hesitancy and doubt to creep in.

In a very similar way, when players have the question of their future hanging over them, they struggle to fully focus on their playing, often meaning that their level of performance drops. This scenario is especially common with deep and varied squads, where the manager cannot offer all of his players regular and significant roles in the side.

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As a result, players grow restless, frustrated at the subdued, reserve role that they are resigned to. Loaning those players out provides a temporary solution to the problem, meaning that, for a short period, they are offered playing time at another club, while also still being owned by the parent club. But it is far from a complete answer, just a patch to delay the problem a little longer.

That is exactly what has happened with Wojciech Szczesny. When Petr Cech was signed to sure up Arsenal’s growing goalkeeping issues in 2015, it was immediately clear that there was an odd man out. With David Ospina and Szczesny already in the squad, Wenger would have to allow at least one to leave to accommodate the addition of Cech.

It was Szczesny who was the odd man out, with Wenger finding a welcome Roma to solve his goalkeeping conundrum. But the solving was merely in part, and just a year later, Wenger relied on the Italians again, sending Szczesny out on loan for a second consecutive season.

And, predictably, the exact problem has again arisen this summer. Still Cech and Ospina remain in the squad, and Szczesny is once more, seemingly, unwanted. This time, though, the Pole has just one year remaining on his contract. In such context, it is important that a concrete solution to the problem is found.

Recent rumours have linked Juventus with a move for Szczesny. While I would rather see him stay at Arsenal, given the long-term quality that he potentially offers, what cannot happen is another loan. It is time to be certain with his future.

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Either Wenger must commit to Szczesny for the long-term, using him as Cech’s successor in the coming years, or he must sell him, ensuring that he receives the highest possible price for his services in the process.

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