Szczesny makes case for Arsenal challenge

Wojciech Szczesny believes Arsenal can finish second in the English Premier League after beating Manchester City on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side defeated City 1-0 thanks to Mikel Arteta’s late strike at the Emirates Stadium, which looks to have ended City’s title hopes.

Polish goalkeeper Szczesny believes the setback will demoralise City and perhaps open the door for his side to snatch second.

He told Arsenal’s official website: “I believe we will finish third. Man City have lost their chance of the title – it was a big blow to us last year and they might drop a little bit, so who knows maybe we can catch them as well.

“Our aim is to win every game and if we do that we will be in the Champions League next year.”

Szczesny felt Arsenal were the better team on the day and said he was expecting City to pose more of a threat.

“I thought we deserved to win from start to finish,” he said.

“Joe Hart made some good saves, we were unlucky at times but I’m sure even the Man City players would admit we deserved to win.

“We played them a few months ago at their place and they were fantastic, as good as we have faced this season, so I was expecting a busy game.

“But I will take my clean sheet, even if I had nothing to do. I was very pleased with the defensive performance of the back four and the whole team.”

Szczesny feels Arsenal have recovered from a poor start to the season and proven their credentials as a force to be reckoned with.

“We have shown that when we are put under pressure we can deal with it,” Szczesny said.

“We had very difficult times at the start of the season and managed to get through it and the team spirit is obvious for all to see.

“We take advantage of it to win games like this and this is the fifth game in the last few months where we have won it at the end. The team is doing well, the atmosphere is good and it shows out there on the pitch.”