"In my opinion he has the same make up as somebody like Joe Hart"

Highbury hero Bob Wilson believes that Arsene Wenger would be foolish to try and buy a new number one goalkeeper this summer given the emergence of young Polish star Wojciech Szczesny.

Wilson, who made a name for himself as Arsenal’s Player of the Year during the famous 1971 Double season, recently revealed that his old club made a huge summer bid for Liverpool’s Pepe Reina before the start of the season but has now hinted that a second such approach may be unnecessary given Szczesny’s competence.

Szczesny, 20, looks set to end the season as the Gunners first choice stopper having featured pre-season as back-up for Spaniard Manuel Almunia, compatriot Lukasz Fabianski and Italian Vito Mannone.

Currently sidelined with a finger injury, along with all the aforementioned keepers, the Pole is tipped for a swift return and could replace emergency replacement Jens Lehmann between the sticks against Liverpool.

Speaking to Arsenal TV Online Wilson drew a comparison between Szczesny and England and Manchester City stopper Joe Hart:

“I think you run a huge risk now [buying another keeper] with Wojciech Szczesny coming through as he is. In my opinion he has the same make up as somebody like Joe Hart, who I think will be England goalkeeper for many years to come.

“That is a complete confidence in himself, his ability, a brashness about it. An ability to play for Arsenal Football Club.

“When I say that to people they ask me, ‘What’s the difference between playing for Arsenal and Stoke City or Birmingham City?’

“I’m saying this with as much respect as I can have, the plain fact is that at a club like Arsenal, Manchester United or Liverpool and I guess now Chelsea, to a degree since Abramovich has been on board, you have to have something within your make up that makes you realise it’s not good enough to come second or to come third.

“You are expected to win trophies. And that becomes a huge burden. As a goalkeeper, as you know, you can be brilliant for 89 minutes and make a bad error and you will be judged on that.

“Wojciech Szczesny I believe is the future in goal here. If you are good enough, you are old enough. That is the old saying."