Szczesny: Arsenal deserve European spot

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny says earning a place in the Champions League should be the minimum requirement for the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger’s side are on course to finish in the top four this season having cemented their place with a 2-1 over Liverpool on Saturday.

And the Pole is confident they will not be caught by anyone now after opening up a three-point gap between themselves and Chelsea in fifth place.

He told the club’s official website: “It is important for everyone at the club. This club deserves to be in the Champions League. It is the least you can ask for.”

“If we can repeat the performances that we have made in the last few weeks against the likes of Blackburn, Sunderland, Tottenham and Liverpool, if we can keep that spirit then it is all in our hands and we are confident that we can get there.”

“It is tough. I can’t imagine Arsenal dropping 10 points before the end of the season. The way we have played in the last few weeks has shown there is something special about the team. It will be very hard for Liverpool but you can never say never.”

Szczesny put in a solid performance against the Reds, including saving Dirk Kuyt’s first-half penalty, and the Pole feels Wenger’s belief in him helps on the pitch.

He added: “He made me the number one goalkeeper at Arsenal at 20 years of age. That gives you a lot of confidence and I am just trying to repay that faith with every single performance.”

“At a young age it is hard to be consistent. I have had my ups and downs. But the manager keeps believing in me and I hope that performances like this just prove him right.”