• Premier League

Szczesny hails 'strong' Arsenal squad

ESPN staff
August 12, 2014
Wojciech Szczesny is set to face competition for the No.1 jersey from David Ospina © Getty Images
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Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny believes the current squad is the best he has been a part of in his time at the club.

Szczesny faces competition for his own place from summer arrival David Ospina in the coming months and the depth of talent in Wenger's squad will be boosted by the imminent return to fitness of winger Theo Walcott.

The feel-good factor around Arsenal following their FA Cup win last May is fuelling confidence ahead of the new season, with Szczesny happy to add to the hype.

"Hopefully this squad will be the most successful one but looking at it on paper, it probably is the strongest one we have had," Szczesny said.

"Except for Thomas [Vermaelen], we have not lost any key players and even though someone did leave on a free [Bacary Sagna], we have managed to replace them with good players. We are looking stronger and stronger and we are very happy with that."

Szczesny stated he was eager to revel in Arsenal's 3-0 win against Manchester City in last Sunday's Community Shield match at Wembley, as he talked up a solid defensive display from the side.

"Rather than talking about their [City's] lack of attacking threat, I talk about our good defensive performance and the whole team shape as we limited them to a couple of chances," he added.

"Obviously we are enjoying the win, but what is important is that we are ready to start the season. We are looking strong, but we are not reading too much into it."

Meanwhile, Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is hopeful they now have a squad that can last the pace in this season's Premier League title race, after claiming Alexis Sanchez's arrival from Barcelona this summer for £35 million has taken the team to a new level.

"He [Sanchez] is a fantastic player, so I think he will have a great season," Giroud added. "He has different qualities to me, Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell. He can bring his pace and his technique in the centre of the park and he is a great finisher.

"We have a good quality squad and now the quantity, so that is why I think we will be stronger this year. I've played with him in training and we have a good understanding. Like Mesut [Ozil] when he signed for Arsenal, it is always easy to play with these kind of players.

"I think he will maybe need some more games to adapt his game to the Premier League, but that's normal."

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