Szczesny identifies top goalkeeper

Gunners stopper hails Joe Hart

By Zain Alvi | 31st May 2012

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny believes that Manchester City counterpart Joe Hart is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world right now.

Reigning Barclays Golden Glove winner Hart recently played down such talk and stated a preference to simply enjoy playing his football between the posts.

Szczesny, whose emergence as a young goalkeeper at a major English club has mirrored that of former Shrewsbury Town starlet Hart, understands that there are many household names shining in a goalkeeper uniform around the world but does not believe that the England number one is any less talented.

“If you’re asking me who is the best keeper in the world at the moment, I would probably say Joe Hart,” the 22-year old Szczesny was quoted by Give Me Football.

The Poland international added: “I know they are big words because you often think the best is not around you, it’s far away in another country, but Joe has been so consistent this season it’s unbelievable.

“To be that consistent at this level, for 60-odd games, is really hard. He’s made a big difference to [Manchester] City and he will be a big help for England.”

Szczesny helped Arsenal beat Hart’s City 1-0 towards the end of the season at the Emirates Stadium but it was Hart who kept a clean sheet as the Gunners fell 1-0 at the Eastlands earlier in the season.

With Euro 2012 merely eight days away, both players are relishing the opportunity to help their respective countries make a deep run in the competition.