Arsenal Hold Preliminary Talks over Wojciech Szczesny Extension

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is set to complete a remarkable turnaround and be rewarded with a new contract at the Emirates—just months after his future as the club's No. 1 looked in jeopardy.

After being dropped last season due to a string of poor performances, Szczesny has started the 2013/14 campaign in stunning form. Despite his contract not being due to expire until 2015, manager Arsene Wenger is ready to offer the 23-year-old a new deal, per John Cross of Mirror Football:

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Arsene Wenger wants to reward Wojciech Szczesny with a new Arsenal contract - after the keeper admitted he has learnt his lesson.

Szczesny and his advisers have already held a first round of talks about extending his current deal with the Gunners, which expires in 2015.

It is seen as recognition that the 23-year-old Poland international has come back strongly after being dropped last season and has now re-established himself as No1 with a string of excellent performances.

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The transfer market was awash with potential replacements for the Polish international in the summer, and Cross also suggested back in August that Wenger was looking at Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.

However, Szczesny's start to the season appears to have put Wenger off any January shopping for a goalkeeper, and his faith in the Pole seems to have been restored.

Indeed, Szczesny himself believes that being dropped has given him a new lease on life as Arsenal look like potential title challengers once more, reports Cross:

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Looking back now it was a good lesson for me, one that I needed at the time.

I definitely have got sharper since then, I have worked harder in training and it worked back then for me and I have carried on doing it.

I am feeling like I am a bit more consistent at the moment. I am trying to do the same thing all over again and it seems to be getting the best out of me.

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With games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United—coupled with a duo of Champions League games against Borussia Dortmund in the pipeline—Szczesny's form will need to be maintained if Arsenal are to continue their magnificent start to the season.

Does Szczesny deserve a new contract? Have you been impressed with the Polish international in 2013/14? Or should Wenger still be looking at another keeper? Leave your comments below.