‘Lukasz is the best No 2 in the country’

Wojciech Szczesny has hailed Lukasz Fabianski as “the best No 2 in the country” and admits he faces a major battle to keep his place in the side. The 22-year-old has enjoyed an impressive first full season in the Premier League, earning plaudits for a series of fine performances. But Szczesny believes he faces serious competition from within the Club for his place and is taking nothing for granted. “I think the quality of goalkeepers at the Club is as good as anywhere in the country,” he told Arsenal Player. “I believe Lukasz is the best No 2 in the country. Every time he goes in goal the team is confident he will do a good job, and to have someone like that behind you gives you a lot of motivation to work hard at the training ground. “I know I have to be at my very best in every game because he is waiting to take my spot. It helps keep you sharp and to be at your very best.” Szczesny says that despite starting every Premier League game for the Club this season, he still has work to do before he can be confident of keeping his place. “I am 22 years old and I don't think I am the established No 1; I still need to prove myself at this Club,” he said. “If we have this conversation in a few years’ time and I have played 500 games, then I will feel established as the No 1. There is still a long way to go.”