With the honourable exception of Jack Wilshere, no one matched Wojciech Szczesny for progress last season.

The 21-year-old wasn't even Arsenal's first-choice Polish goalkeeper when the 2010/11 campaign got underway - that honour was Lukasz Fabianski's - while Manuel Almunia was the No 1. That spot is now Wojciech's and he will take some shifting.

The young Pole was fortunate to a degree as Almunia and then Fabianski succumbed to injuries, but the manner with which he took his opportunity struck a chord. Wojciech is not short on confidence and why not? He clearly has the potential to be a world-class keeper.

Strong, commanding, assured and blessed with superb reflexes, Wojciech looked right at home in the Premier League from the moment he made his top-flight debut - at Old Trafford of all places. Indeed, without him Arsenal would have surely lost by more than one goal that night in December.

By then Wojciech had put pen to paper on a new contract and his loyalty was soon rewarded with a run of 14 consecutive games that was only ended by a freakish finger injury in the Nou Camp.

It wasn't all plain sailing: the 21-year-old was involved in the defensive mix-up that cost Arsenal the Carling Cup at Wembley. But while other players would have been shaken to the core, Wojciech picked himself up, dusted himself off and didn't let it affect him. 

That strength of character - allied to his undoubted talent - will hold him in good stead in 2011/12 and beyond.

SOUNDBITE

"A decade as No 1 is my target really, that's my goal. I would love to [do that] but I know I have a few others that want to have the No 1 shirt. I'm going to have to be at my very best to keep it. There is very good competition at the Club so I can't say there is no threat. If there is any slip-up or drop in my performance, other goalkeepers will be happy to take my place."

WOJCIECH SZCZESNY 2010/11 SEASON STATSCompetition Appearances Goals

League 15 0

FA Cup 2 0

Carling Cup 2 0

Champions League

5 0

Totals 24 0

FINEST MOMENT

Wojciech effectively saved Arsenal from the earliest of FA Cup exits in January. Leeds led 1-0 at Emirates Stadium thanks to Robert Snodgrass' penalty and the visitors piled on the pressure in search of a second goal. They should have got it but Wojciech showed superb reflexes to push aside a close-range volley from Luciano Becchio in front of the Clock End. Buoyed by their keeper's heroics, Arsenal hit back and forced a replay with a last-ditch penalty from Cesc Fabregas.

Arsenal.com