Szczesny steps up Arsenal comeback with Under-21 turn-out

The Gunners first-choice goalkeeper is closing in on a return to match fitness after taking part in a 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Friday afternoon

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny played 90 minutes for the Gunners' Under-21 side on Friday afternoon as he make his return to action following an ankle injury.

The Poland international was beaten twice in a 2-1 defeat to West Ham as Rob Hall opened the scoring, before Serge Gnabry equalised for the Gunners, only for Paul McCallum to put the Hammers back in front with four minutes remaining.

With Lukasz Fabianski also out injured, Vito Mannone has been the Gunners' first choice in recent weeks with fourth-choice Damian Martinez given the nod and making his debut in the 7-5 Capital One Cup victory over Reading.

Szczesny has not featured for the first team since the 6-1 win over Southampton back in September and in his absence Arsenal have kept just one clean sheet, in the 1-0 victory over QPR in October.

However, Szczesny now appears to be closing in on a return to the first team, as he looks to regain match fitness by featuring for the Under-21 side against West Ham

 

Source : Goal.com