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Szczesny: I'm a genuine Gooner

Wojciech Szczesny says he is at Arsenal for the long haul © Getty Images

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Wojciech Szczesny has told the Arsenal website he has been a fan of the club since joining in 2006 and said he is one of many "genuine Gooners" in Arsene Wenger's dressing room.

As Arsenal contract rebel Theo Walcott closes in on a decision on his long-term future, Szczesny has stated that a clutch of the players in Wenger's camp are burning with desire to succeed at the club that gave them a chance to perform on the biggest stages in European football.

"Ever since I signed for this club, I've become an Arsenal fan," he said. "It feels like it's more than me just playing and doing my best on a Saturday afternoon, as I feel as if I have a much bigger part to play at this club. It means that little bit more to me.

"I think there's a lot of players in this team that are genuine Gooners. You've got people like Carl Jenkinson, Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong who really feel it's the biggest honour they could have to play for this club. I think that's very important for the future.

"I don't think about playing for any other club. I see my future at Arsenal Football Club. I committed to coming here at the age of 16, not to then leave at the age of 24. That's not how it works for me. Coming over to England at the age of 16 was the most important decision of my life and probably the best one to date."

Szczesny believes he is some way short of realising his full potential at the tender age of 22.

"I think I improve with every single game," he added as he closes in on a century of appearances for the Gunners. "I get the experience that is needed for a young keeper, so it's important for me to play as many games as possible."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.