Wojciech Szczesny Relieved Arsenal Didn't Sign Cardiff City Goalkeeper David Marshall

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has admitted he is delighted Arsene Wenger didn't sign Cardiff City's David Marshall, fearing the Scot would have replaced him as the Gunners' number one.

Following the departure of Lukasz Fabianski, manager Wenger enlisted the services of Colombian international David Ospina to provide competition for Szczesny.

The Poland international is yet to be troubled by the new arrival at the club but admits it might have been a different story had Marshall arrived in the summer after being linked with an £8m to the Emirates.

"He deserves a move back to the Premier League as he has been terrific," Szczesny was quoted as saying by Wales Online. "I heard rumours last season he was going to sign for Arsenal and I definitely wasn't looking forward to that happening.

"He's been absolutely incredible and was one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League last season. So I was worried he would take my place if he joined us.

"David is a top 'keeper. So as much as you want competition, when I heard him linked with us I was like 'wooah calm down, we don't need to sign anyone that good'."

Marshall, 29, will be aiming to keep Szczesny's Poland at bay on Tuesday 14 October when Scotland host their European Championship qualifier. The Poles secured a historic first victory over Germany on Saturday 11 October but Szczesny has insisted he is now focused on rectifying a 1-0 loss his side suffered against the Tartan Army in Warsaw seven months ago.

"Three points from the Germany match are already in the bag and we enjoyed Saturday night," the Arsenal goalkeeper said.

"Scotland is now far more important. We need to be at our best to gain anything out of it. Scotland are a fantastic side and beat us in March. It was only 1-0 but they beat us fair and square. I don't like to use the word revenge so I'm trying to forget about it."