Another Gunner relishes Barca switch

Wojciech will jump at Catalan opportunity

By Zain Alvi | 5th October 2011

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny admits that an opportunity to join reigning European champions FC Barcelona at a later stage of his career will be too tempting to turn down.

The 21-year old Szczesny rose to prominence for the Gunners when Polish compatriot Lukasz Fabianski was sidelined by a shoulder injury in the middle of last season.

Ever since then, he has enjoyed being the club’s first-choice stopper and despite a shaky start to the season from Arsene Wenger’s men, Szczesny has been applauded for his individual performances.

Although the Poland international is enjoying an impressive spell as a starter at the Emirates Stadium, he has refused to commit to the Gunners in the case that Barca make an approach.

“I can’t declare that I will spend my entire career here, but if I leave I will have a very important reason or I will go to Barcelona,” Szczesny told polskathetimes.pl as he sits out the international break due to injury.

Former Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas completed a protracted move to the Catalan giants earlier this summer and given that Alexander Hleb, once a fan favorite in North London, also left for Barca at the peak of his Premier League career, uncertainty over Szczesny’s future is poised to unsettle the Gunners faithful.

Nevertheless, the player has assured the club’s supporters that as he develops into a young leader at the club, he feels very much a part of the future and it will take a lot more than a bigger paycheck to lure him away.

“I can’t imagine a situation where I would leave this club just for money,” Szczesny asserted.

He added: “I feel that when I say something, everyone listens to me. More so on the field than in the dressing room, but that’s more important I think.

“I want to be the captain of the team. I feel that I am able to take on that responsibility. I always wanted to be captain and if I ever get that honor, I will gladly put on the armband.”

Following the international break, Szczesny and his teammates will host Sunderland as they aim to rebound from a 2-1 derby defeat to Tottenham in their last outing.