Wojciech Szczesny: 'Being dropped did me good'

Arsenal number one goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has admitted that getting dropped last season has resulted in him becoming better.

The Poland international was axed by Gunners manager Arsene Wenger in March following a series of errors, but has since become first choice again at the Emirates Stadium.

"Looking back now it was a good lesson for me, one that I needed at the time," Szczesny told reporters. "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. We are winning and that is the most important thing. I am getting to the point in my career where all I care about is the team and if the team wins I am happy.

"I would have preferred a few more clean sheets, but I'm just delighted with the team's form and how we have been playing and getting the results."

Arsenal are reportedly preparing to offer the 23-year-old, who has kept four clean sheets in 12 appearances this term, an extension to his current contract, which expires in 2015.