Failed English League Champion with Arsenal, Szczesny is Still Proud of His Former Club Ending Paceklik

JAKARTA - Barcelona veteran goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, admitted that it was still painful to fail to win the English League (Premier League) title during his time at Arsenal.

Even so, Szczesny - who was in Birmingham for pre-season training with Barcelona - was still grateful to finally see his former club end their league title drought in the 2025/2026 season.

Arsenal have finished as runners-up in the previous three seasons.

"I suffered a lot (during) the Champions League final. However, winning the Premier League after 22 years, it's a relief because I've been waiting for it for a long time and I'm very happy they're building the project of one of the best clubs in Europe," Szczesny told The Athletic referring to Arsenal's penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on May 30, 2026.

Szczesny joined the Gunners as a teenager in 2006 and made 181 appearances at the Emirates Stadium during his 10 years at the club.

During the 2013/2014 season, Arsenal were top of the table for longer than any other team, but then suffered a dip in form and were knocked out of contention by the end of March.

Szczesny won the Golden Glove award in the 2013/2014 season with Petr Cech.

"When I was there, we were top of the table for a very long time, and in the end we lost."

"I feel we are the best team in the league. However, we are a very young and inexperienced team. In the end, when the time came, we failed."

"It still hurts because it's the only trophy I haven't won in professional football, winning the Premier League with Arsenal."

"It still bothers me from the bottom of my heart, but as a fan, I'm very happy with what's happened this year."

"Arsenal is where I fulfilled my dream. Emotionally, it's the maximum achievement I believe anyone can achieve, playing for your dream club."

"I have achieved that dream. It is the pinnacle of your career. It is a beautiful story even though I only won three trophies with Arsenal, namely two FA Cups and one Community Shield."

"That will probably always be the most beautiful part of my career. The part filled with the greatest passion."

"It was also the beginning of my career. I was very hungry, very determined to show people that I deserve to be at that level," said the Polish goalkeeper.

Szczesny retired from football in August 2024 after a long spell at Juventus, but signed for Barcelona two months later as Marc-Andre ter Stegen - the Blaugrana's first-choice goalkeeper - suffered an injury that ended his season.

"When I stop, I don't want to play football anymore. I don't imagine anything will happen after 2024."

"I kind of lost interest in football. I don't enjoy playing anymore. I don't enjoy waking up for training."

"I still have one year left on my contract with Juventus, which at some point they were not able to pay."

"We decided to separate. I'm not ready for any challenge. I don't want to move countries, move clubs, find a new school for the kids, and find a new place to live."

"It was an easy decision (to retire) for me and my family. Once you reach a certain point in your life, family is actually more important than football."

"Now I am living one of the best moments of my career, and I am enjoying every minute of it," he said.

Szczesny has won consecutive LaLiga titles with Barcelona among other trophies.