Arsenal owe it to fans to deliver trophies, admits Szczesny

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Wojciech Szczesny has apologised to Arsenal fans for the team's failure to win trophies again this season. Arsenal lost the Carling Cup final in February, resulting in a collapse in form that led to their being eliminated from the FA Cup and the Champions League. Following Sunday's defeat to Aston Villa, Arsenal are reliant on Manchester City dropping points if they are to finish third in the Premier League.

There was vocal dissent from Arsenal supporters after Sunday's loss, as the trophy drought dating back to 2005 continues. Szczesny admitted that the players had not done enough this season and that they hoped to atone next year.

"I totally understand the frustration of the fans, and we apologise for our lack of trophies this season," the 21-year-old said. "This is one of the biggest clubs in the world and we should be winning trophies every year. We will have much more desire next season as we know how close we were this season to winning the Carling Cup and Premier League. That gives us more motivation and desire to go for it next year, and obviously we will be one year more experienced compared to what we were this year."

Arsenal's collapse dates back to their League Cup final defeat, when a collision between Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny in the final minute allowed Birmingham's Obafemi Martins to score the winning goal. After that, Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup by Barcelona and Manchester United respectively, and have won just two of their last 10 league games.

Szczesny, however, insisted that the players ought to have been able to put that behind them and move on. "If you ask my opinion, I put it behind me straight away and I was focused on all the games coming up," he said. "I was disappointed not to win the Carling Cup, but for me it made no difference to what happened after. You have to ask the other players what they thought about it. When we lost the Carling Cup we still had a very good chance to win three trophies, and we are disappointed that we didn't."

The goalkeeper has secured his place as first choice this year, but said he would rather be part of a winning team. "Obviously, I am happy to be playing for Arsenal and I am trying to do my best," he said, "but if we look at this season we never won a trophy, so it is disappointing for me."