Szczesny can learn the Hart way, says Wenger
The 21-year-old Gunner has matured as the season has evolved and is now one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, according to Wenger.
But Wenger believes he could still learn from Manchester City’s Hart, who, at 24, oozes with the confidence necessary in any top goalkeeper.
Asked if Szczesny had improved this season, Wenger said: “In his focus yes. In the consistency of his focus.
“The talent was always there but he is maturing quickly. I like that he is a good communicator. You have to adjust, it’s important to find a balance.
“The mental part of a keeper is vital. Look at Joe Hart, who is a fantastic goalkeeper for England, for me he shows that strength.”
Wenger’s side play Wigan tonight eager to reinforce their grip on the third Champions League qualifying place and full-back Kieran Gibbs and midfielder Gervinho could be available after recovering from groin and ankle injuries respectively. Defender Laurent Koscielny is suspended.
Meanwhile, Wenger also revealed he believes diving in football should be punishable with an automatic three-match ban.
Wenger has called for referees to be given the help of instant video replays and he believes disciplinary committees should also be able to rule retrospectively on whether a player has dived or not.
Wenger said: “Everybody wants to win football games and when you have played football, you always try to be on the fringe if you want to win.
“But if an obvious dive is punished by a three-match ban, the players would not do it any more.”
Wenger was keen to point out he was referring only to blatant cases of cheating.
“For obvious diving,” he said. “It has to be obvious. A guy who hits himself with the other leg, no.”
Wenger also revealed he agreed with former Manchester United defender Gary Neville’s recent comments that foreigners had brought many cheating techniques to English football. Wenger, who arrived at Arsenal 16 years ago and has presided over an influx of foreign talent, said: “The foreign players have brought good and bad things.
“There is a trend now to surround the referee and give a yellow card and that never happened when I arrived.”
Asked if Neville was right that the dark arts had come from foreign players, Wenger said: “Yes. But I must say the English players learn quickly.”
Meanwhile Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has defended his decision to ignore Shaun Maloney for most of the season.
The Scotland midfielder has been one of the inspirations behind Wigan’s recent resurgence and curled home the winner against Manchester United in midweek that allowed the Latics to clamber out of the bottom three for the first time since October.
“There is a really strong adaptation period for certain players when they leave the SPL and come to England,” said Martinez.
“We worked really hard with him physically to reach the level we needed, then he had to find a partnership and position. That takes time.’’
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