Arsenal Stopper Describes Playing Role in Nurturing Gunners' Next Generation

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has revealed he plays a role in making youth players feel welcome in the Gunners first team.

The Emirates production line means several youth players are handed first team appearances every season, with the likes of Serge Gnabry, Chubba Akpom, Hector Bellerin and Thomas Eisfeld among them this term.

And Szczesny recalls being in the same position upon joining the Arsenal squad and says he often advises young players during their early days among the senior ranks.

"I feel that when young players come into the first team they can look up to me because I have gone through their journey," he said.

"I have come through the youth team, played in the reserves and had loan spells. I always try to welcome them into the first team, give them advice and keep their feet on the ground, which is very important.

"I remember my very first day at the Club like it was yesterday and it is now my eighth season here so time does go very quickly.

"I remember my debut for Arsenal, it went very quickly and I am very proud to have played over 100 games for the Club now. I am sure the next 100, the 100 after and the few hundred after that will go by very quickly as well."

After joining the club in 2006, Szczesny had to wait three years for his first team debut against West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup, which was followed by a loan spell at Brentford during which he enjoyed outstanding form.

He returned to become Arsenal's No.1 goalkeeper and has since flourished of late, forming the backbone to an impressive start in the Premier League, which sees the club top after 11 games.

Questions have regularly been asked over the Poland international's ability, especially when he was left out of the side at stages last season, as Wenger deliberated over the position.

But having played all 11 games in the league and started each of Arsenal's Champions League group matches, there is now little doubt over Szczesny's status as top dog.