Germany held by Italy

Joachim Low celebrated his 100th game on the Germany bench with a 1-1 friendly draw over old rivals Italy, who remain unbeaten against the Germans since 1995.
Two defenders provided the goals at San Siro with Mats Hummels on target early on for Germany before Ignazio Abate equalised for the hosts.
Nicolai Boilesen's last-gasp goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Norway that helped Denmark repair some wounded pride following their failure to reach the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
Denmark finished second to Italy in Group B but had the worst record of the nine runners-up and missed out, together with Norway who were a poor fourth in their own group.
William Kvist's early header sent Denmark on their way and, even though Marcus Pedersen equalised 12 minutes from time, Ajax defender Boilesen settled the game on the stroke of full-time.
A quick exchange of goals saw Russia and Serbia play out a 1-1 draw in Dubai.
Fabio Capello's men took the lead through Aleksandr Samedov on the half-hour mark but less than a minute later Serbia were celebrating Filip Djordjevic's equaliser.
Switzerland's trip to Seoul ended in disappointment as South Korea came from behind to win 2-1, Lee Chung-yong scoring a late winner after Hong Jeong-ho had cancelled out Pajtim Kasami's opener.
It was the same story for Azerbaijan, who lost by the same scoreline in Estonia.
Rauf Aliyev made the breakthrough for Berti Vogts' visitors only for Sergei Zenjov and Joel Lindpere to turn the game around in the second half.
A solitary moment of madness cost Northern Ireland a battling draw in Adana as Roy Carroll and Chris Baird gifted Turkey a 1-0 win.
Just seconds before the break goalkeeper Carroll and defender Baird suffered a dreadful lack of communication, both standing off as Mevlut Erdinc nipped in to touch Bilal Kisa's chip over the line.
There was a 2-0 victory for the Czech Republic in Prague as goals from Ondrej Celustka and Tomas Horava sent Canada back across the Atlantic Ocean on the back of a third straight defeat.
Elsewhere, Juraj Kucka and Robert Mak scored the goals that earned Slovakia a 2-0 win in Poland, while Scotland played out an uninspiring goalless draw with the United States at Hampden.

Sanchez steals limelight from England debutants

England started the game positively with a couple of chances; a Phil Jones header after 3 minutes was the closest. But then the frustration set in, with Leighton Baines losing Sanchez in the box from a cross from the left, the Barcelona forward headed the ball past Fraser Forster to slot into the front post. Captain Frank Lampard who received his golden gap for 100 appearances nearly had England level game with a long range free-kick but that was again saved by Claudio Bravo.
There were a couple more chances, no more wanting than Adam Lallana, whose shot just before half time which was deflected wide.
The second half was very much more of the same. Chile bossed the midfield over England. Which showed England are going to have to adapt to before the World Cup as Chile played the way most will next summer by keeping the ball, and slowing the game down with fouls in the right areas. Then when they needed to attack, they did so with pace, plenty of crosses and counter attacks.
The moment we qualified my thought was, yes the first team, when all fit can challenge the better teams. The problem is what we don’t have as a national team is back up, the quality in depth to call on players who just slot into the same position and can do a similar level of job. This isn’t a new problem but something that can’t be highlighted enough to keep our hopes on par with what’s realistic. It was only till Townsend came on it was more interesting and stretched the game slightly but this game seemed to be a warm up for the game on Tuesday. The competition, the pace was just left wanting. It’s a shame as if the pressure and pace was there we might have seen more from Rodriguez as it’s a style Southampton have been so successful with.
Sadly a couple of chances wide from Rooney and after several substitutions, England couldn’t produce the goods to get a goal and then in the final minutes whilst on the attack, a stray pass by Gary Cahill set Chile on the attack and who was the man to punish England again Alexis Sanchez, with a tidy chip over Forster to rub it in even further.
Sanchez was all about the talk before the game, about England being soft and on the night he was able to walk the walk, and prove to be the difference.

England 0 Alexis Sanchez 2: Point proven?

England were left with red faces by Chile on Friday night, mainly by star forward Alexis Sanchez.
The Barcelona front man scored two well deserved goals in a match where the Three Lions failed to recreate the kind of performances which saw them secure a place at next year's World Cup.
Chile however were almost a completely opposite team to the home side. A well drilled, well organised team that kept possession like it was second nature to them. This may have been one of the reasons why Sanchez was capable of producing the kind of performance which saw him win man of the match. La Roja at times seemingly produced the same type of play as Alexis's famous Catalonia club side. The 5 foot 7 inch goal machine was in fine form throughout the evening, beginning with a well directed header to put the visitors in front and finished off with a tidy chip past debutante keeper Fraser Forster.
But it wasn't just his performance on the pitch which saw him grab the headlines. Only a couple of days before the tie Alexis had branded England's players as "soft". He stated that it was his belief that they had been handed their careers on a silver platter, and that they lacked the magic ingredient needed to truly be considered contenders for World Cup triumph. He felt that if they had to endure the type of struggle he had experienced growing up then they might have more fight to their game.
Now, although the man may have a point, the fact that this particular opinion emanates from someone who has been blasted severely times for diving and was at one point recently considered a flop at his current club, makes you wonder if he'd ever heard of the term "the pot calling the kettle black".
To his credit, whilst maybe trying to prove his argument a little more, he produced a performance the English simply couldn't handle. Run after run, pass after pass and skill after skill. The little Chilean really did put his money where his mouth is and delivered a clear message to Roy Hodgson's men... Take nothing and no one for granted. Being beaten by Chile isn't exactly a pie in the face, especially when you consider some of the names on their team sheet. England's performance wasn't all bad either. In truth, the game was fairly even, but the home team's lack of killer instinct in front of goal was something to be concerned about.
The real major concern should be Germany on Tuesday night. Although this bitter rivalry between the two nations runs deeper than just on the pitch, the Germans are of real quality and are favoured to lift the golden trophy in Brazil alongside current champions Spain.
Aside from Sanchez and his dazzling performance as well as possibly hypocritical comments, England were celebrating prior to kick-off. Midfielder Frank Lampard Jnr received his 100th cap in a Three Lions shirt. Lampard is one of many players in the England camp that believe their playing careers maybe soon coming to an end, and will want to finish on a high when they finally do conclude.Will that be in Samba style come next year? Who knows.
Another highlight of the night was the debuts of in-form Southampton duo Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez, As well as the previously mentioned Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Although celebratory at the start, none of the trio truly made their mark on their first outings. The only one to really come out of the match with their head held moderately high was Lallana. Out of the two Saints players he was the only one to really try his luck against an unbreakable Chilean defense and equally resilient keeper in Claudio Bravo. Although Rodriguez hardly did anything particularly wrong, he never produced anything particularly decent either. but out of the three the one who will most want to forgot his first game in an England shirt is that of Forster. He could do nothing but watch the ball gently bounce into the net for Sanchez's classy second, but he may consider himself more to blame for the first. Would Joe Hart or maybe even John Ruddy done better under the circumstances, that is just speculation... for now.
All in all this defeat is a bitter pill to swallow for England and it's fans, especially when you consider Alexis may actually have hit the nail on the head a bit harder than first thought.

Manchester United Winning the Race to Sign Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso

Reports are suggesting that the Red Devils are winning the race against rivals Chelsea to sign the Los Blancos man, Xabi Alonso.
Alonso is in his final year of his contract at the Bernabeu and he is looking to make a move away from the Spanish capital. Interest for the Madrid star is mounting from all over Europe but Alonso has reportedly opened up initial talks with Manchester United, according to the Daily Star.
Spanish reports suggested that talks with United convinced Alonso to rethink the option of staying in his native country and make a move to another European club.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been keeping tabs on the Spanish international’s situation. Mourinho wants to add a playmaker to his lineup either in this upcoming January transfer window or during the summer. He hopes to sign the 31-year old Madridista after having worked together for three years in Madrid.
The Spanish International has only played four games this season under Carlo Ancelotti due to a foot injury.
Serie A champions Juventus are also interested in signing Alonso.

Big games will test Saints - Shaw

Luke Shaw believes positive results from the upcoming trips to Arsenal and Chelsea will show Southampton can maintain their challenge at the top.
Saints are third in the standings after their best-ever start to a top-flight season, even trumping the 1983-84 campaign in which they finished runners-up.
Mauricio Pochettino's side boast the best defensive record in the Barclays Premier League and are unbeaten in eight matches, although those records will come under pressure after the international break.
Southampton return to action in a top-of-the-table clash at leaders Arsenal, before returning to London to take on Chelsea the following weekend - matches that Shaw knows will prove Saints' mettle.
"The next two games we have got coming up will show whereabouts we are and whether we can challenge for the top," the highly-rated left-back said.
"If you take points from there, you know you are doing well.
"It is two of the biggest clubs in the league and hopefully we are going to go there positive to pick up points."
Collecting points in the capital would be an impressive feat, but Shaw's immediate attention is on representing his country.
The 18-year-old is currently on duty with the England Under-21s and put in an outstanding performance on Thursday evening as Gareth Southgate's side beat Finland 3-0 in Milton Keynes.
"It was very dominant," Shaw said of the manner of victory.
"We knew from when we played them out in Finland that it was going to be a hard game.
"But we knew when we play at our ground that we take full control and I think we did that. Obviously in the first half I was told to stay back a bit because sometimes when we lost the ball my space was free.
"But in the second half they went down to 10 men and it allowed me to get forward more."
That did not mean Shaw was not bombing down the left in the first half, though - in fact, it was the left-back's venomous strike that saw Saido Berahino net his first goal of the night.
The full-back's effort was destined for the bottom corner until a fine reaction save, meaning his wait for a goal for club and country continues.
"Obviously we have got San Marino on Tuesday so you never know what might happen then," Shaw said.
"But I hope (my first goal) will be for Saints. I want to score at home."

Frank Lampard: 100 Cap Hero?

It's a magnificent achievement to be called on to represent your country 100 times.
Only seven players had done so for England before Fridays nights encounter with Chile at Wembley, but the friendly added another name to the list.
#8 Frank Lampard.
Lampard, who last season broke the all-time Chelsea goal scoring record of 202 set by Bobby Tambling 47 years ago, is a legend for his club and one of the most iconic English players to play the modern game. He's won a Champions League, the Europa League, three Premier League crowns, four FA Cups and two League Cups, and has become known as one of the hardest working, industrious and pleasant off the pitch players you can meet in the Premier League.
On Friday, Sir Geoff Hurst and Frank's father, Frank Lampard Senior, presented the midfielder with a golden cap to mark his landmark moment for England, in front of Wembley and a world audience.
While the 100 appearance mark for country, or club, is a special moment for any player, the recent crop of players, Lampard included, to be given the award leaves a slightly bitter taste in the mouth.
The 'Golden Generation' receiving their golden caps. Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard and Lampard were all key players in a group of Englishmen that many thought could repeat the greats feats of England at Italia 90 or even, dare we say it, 1966?
The generation, however, never reached the heights expected of them, and England went from being the exciting side we watched at Euro 96 and, to an extent, France 98, to being a disappointing and dour outfit to watch on the international scene. Cole, unlike his two midfield compatriots, produced performances that, more often than not, matched his club performances, but Lampard and Gerrard became a midfield pairing that many believed were unable to play together.
While both excelled domestically, neither inspired at international level, despite being given numerous chances. There are few games that stand out, especially in the international career of Lampard, where the English midfielders ever controlled a game from start to finish against top class opposition, with Gerrard producing his best performances when paired in the heart of the pitch with Scott Parker and others.
Maybe the fans expectation levels were too high, maybe Gerrard and Lampard were unlucky with the managers who pulled the strings of the National side or maybe their. Supporting cast was never good enough but the recent members of England's 100 cap club serve as much of a reminder that these players were given 100 chances to recreate their club achievements for their country, as they are a fitting symbol to commemorate some of England's longest serving players.

You Don't Have To Be Insane To Be A 'Keeper, But It Helps

The other weekend once again highlighted the extremes within the life of the last line of defence, the man between the sticks, your common or garden goalkeeper. Stoke City goalie Asmir Begovic scores for his side against Southampton from his own penalty area (admittedly heavily wind assisted), Swansea City number one Mart Poom manages to get himself sent off for wiping out Cardiff’s DJ Campbell with a blatent professional foul, meanwhile Spurs ‘keeper Hugo Lloris played on against Everton after being knocked unconscious after colliding with Romelu Lukaku’s knee.
To be a decent goalkeeper, you have to be a bit barmy to be honest. Why else would you want to dive full length at the feet of someone running full tilt and run the risk of what happened to Lloris, or worse still the injury Chelsea’s Petr Cech suffered a few years ago? I recall one of my P.E teachers several decades ago saying ‘keepers are just bad rugby union players – they can get their hands to the ball, but very rarely hold it’. A bit harsh, to be far. I think Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton would see it as a bit more complicated than just that.
Obviously, this position requires a player who is virtually fearless, has very good vision of how a game can flow, scant disregard for their own personal safety and well-being and reflexes second only to that of a cat. Plus, the desire to spoil a forward’s day, stopping a wonderful solo effort or blockbusting thirty yard drive, which to the ‘keeper I’m sure is as equally satisfying as scoring a hat-trick, but to the bulk of fans makes the goalie somewhat of a party-pooper. A goalkeeper can never win, really – seen as a villain by the majority, a buffoon by a section of his own supporters but a hero to others when he pulls off a penalty save or sends the opposition’s star player skywards while collecting the ball legally. Or illegally, depending who he has sent airborne.
Begovic is not the first ‘keeper to score from his own end of the field. He joined an elite group, alongside Pat Jennings and Steve Ogrizovic who have also achieved same. Other goalies have ran the length of the pitch in the final throws of a game in order to cause havoc in the opposition’s area and gain that elusive equaliser, Peter Schmeichel being particularly famous for this in his pomp (and scored a few times too). While this full-length of the pitch kick that goes in occurs only very rarely from time-to-time, imagine how the guy at the other end of the field must feel, having had his opposite number score past him from a good seventy yards plus away (in the case of a couple of grounds due to a quirk of their location over a boundary, from a different county). It’s bad enough to have Sergio Aguerio score a peach against you, but to have Joe Hart do same, I’d be tempted to give up the day job and leave the country to live out the rest of my natural in complete obscurity. Tapping up Cliff Richard to establish does he need any more staff in his Portuguese vineyards would be a serious option.
The professional foul is something all goalkeepers will be prone to committing once they run down a forward charging straight at them. I understand the reasoning why – hopefully their charge will intimidate the forward into shooting too early or making a mistake, but nowadays they’ve got savy to this and stand their ground. Goalkeepers are far from the game’s best tacklers, so the forward will wait – a red card for the ‘keeper will be a dead cert as the two players collide at a far rate of knots. However, this wasn’t always the case, as back in the early eighties an incident occurred that made the reason for Poom’s sending off against Cardiff seem more like a game of Ring-a-Ring Of Roses.
Back in the 1982 World Cup semi-final between France and West Germany, the French were on the attack seeking a winning goal, and at long last burst through the stubborn German defence. Frenchman Patrick Battison was now through on goal, with just Harald Schumacher to beat. A goal for le Bleus seemed inevitable. The German ‘keeper however, had other thoughts. Instead of trying to tackle Battison, he forced the France player into shooting at goal early (he missed) as he charged at him, but continued his run and leapt directly into him mid-air. Due to the heavy collision occurring at speed, Battison was immediately knocked unconscious, collapsing onto the grass. Incredibly, the referee overseeing the game didn’t even award France a free-kick, let alone any disciplinary action against Schumacher. The West German shot-stopper proceeded to take the goal kick that restarted the game, and play resumed. The injuries to Battison were quite severe – he had three teeth knocked out, damage to several vertebra, and slipped into a coma. I’m sure Schumacher did not intend to hurt Battison at all, merely make him miss the target by charging him down, but it still begs belief why the German had to launch himself full length into the French player after he had already shot for goal.
On a more light-hearted note to end to this missive, the most hilarious episode of a ‘keeper playing on after serious injury was during the 1991 League Cup Final between Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday. In an accidental collision between United number one Les Sealey and Wednesday forward Paul Williams, Sealey needed lengthy and somewhat extensive treatment on the hallowed Wembley turf. It was clear from the body language and reaction of the United physio Sealey really should leave the field of play. However, this was before clubs began having a spare goalkeeper on the bench just for such an emergency. If the ‘keeper was injured, an outfield player who was a reasonable shot-stopper of sorts (more of a token jesture, really), would have to don the green jersey and gloves and take over. This would have left the Manchester club without a proper ‘keeper in a cup final they were losing at the time. Sealey had none of it – remonstrating quite vehemently and at some subsequent length he was not leaving the pitch. Not on his life. No way on this Earth. It was quite farcical to observe – he was clearly badly injured, needed to leave the game, but was having none of it, on several occasions bordering on fisticuffs if anyone attempted to even suggest he should surrender his shirt. Maybe he’d watched ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ the night before and fancied himself as the Dark Knight.
And who can forget Liverpool’s Bruce Grobbelaar with his ‘spaghetti legs’ during the penalty shoot-out at the end of the 1984 European Cup Final. It did the trick, putting off the opposition. The Merseyside club won their fourth European Cup, as the coolest man on the field that night was the Reds’ shot-stopper. Like I said at the start of this article, you have to be a bit barmy to be a ‘keeper to be honest.

Jones ruled out of Germany friendly

England defender Phil Jones has been ruled out of his side's friendly game at home to Germany on Tuesday with a thigh problem, the Football Association confirmed on Saturday.
Manager Roy Hodgson revealed that Jones had sustained the injury after England's 2-0 loss to Chile on Friday and he has now returned to Manchester United for treatment.
"Phil Jones has been ruled out of England's final match of 2013 against Germany on Tuesday evening," read a statement from the FA.
"The Manchester United defender picked up his injury during England's defeat to Chile on Friday evening, and following a scan today (Saturday) he has returned to his club."
Everton's Phil Jagielka is expected to take Jones's place alongside Gary Cahill at the heart of the England defence against Germany.
Captain Steven Gerrard, right-back Kyle Walker and strikers Daniel Sturridge and Rickie Lambert are also in contention to return to the starting XI after missing the Chile game through injury.

Hanley - The belief is back

Scotland defender Grant Hanley says belief has finally returned to the Dark Blues squad after the pain of missing out on a World Cup spot.
A wretched start under former boss Craig Levein ultimately cost the nation their place in next year's finals in Brazil but new manager Gordon Strachan has gone some way to restoring confidence to a timid squad.
After closing out their Group A qualifying campaign with victories over Macedonia and Croatia, the Scots added a respectable goalless draw with the United States to their list of improving results on Friday night.
Now Blackburn defender Hanley - who hopes to win his 12th cap when Strachan's men travel to Molde to take on Norway on Tuesday - says the doubts that once plagued the side are gone and the team really believes it can compete on the international stage.
He told Press Association Sport: "We need to head to Norway and hope we can keep our wee run going. It's all about momentum as we prepare for the next European Championship campaign.
"I think there is a difference in the mood in the camp from a few months ago. Before when we went into these games like Croatia away, we had nothing to lose. We were always positive but that's not the same as believing you will win.
"But now that we are on the back of a wee run and our performances have picked up, we can take a bit of confidence into the games."
Friday's stalemate at Hampden was not the most memorable of encounters but the Tartan Army can be encouraged by the competent showing Scotland put on against a side ranked 13th in the world.
"We're happy to get the clean sheet," said Hanley. "That is our job as defenders first and foremost. It was just unfortunate that we couldn't take any of the chances we created.
"We would have liked a wee win to carry on our good run but we can still take the positives from the game with the US.
"If you get a clean sheet you can't lose the game so that is something to look back on with satisfaction and now we can move forward towards the Norway match."
Hanley was paired with Gordon Greer at the heart of the Scots defence as the Brighton man collected his first cap.
But the Dumfries-born 21-year-old says he is only now starting to feel comfortable in a Scotland jersey, 18 months after making his international debut against Northern Ireland.
He said: "Friday was the first time Gordon and I have played together in a match but we have trained alongside one another a few times as we have both been away together on a few trips with the national squad.
"So it's wasn't as if we were thrown in together for the first time. I enjoyed it and it was good to get a clean sheet.
"The more I play at this level the more confident I get and the more I grow into it. The more I play, it can only help me, and I feel good now.
"But my job as a centre-half is pretty simple - I just need to keep the ball out of the net. For me it's just about keeping my place in the team and ensuring the consistency in my game carries on."

Doyle never stopped believing

Kevin Doyle insists he never gave up on his Republic of Ireland career despite being discarded by Giovanni Trapattoni as he slid down the divisions.
The Italian, who once described Doyle as one of the best strikers in England, if not Europe, during the early years of his reign, decided to dispense with his services after he suffered successive relegations with club Wolves.
However, the 30-year-old was recalled by interim manager Noel King last month and was retained when the Under-21s manager named the squad for new management duo Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane to lead into Friday night's 3-0 friendly victory over Latvia.
Doyle was handed his 56th senior cap as a late substitute against the Latvians and will hope for fourth taste of the action in Poland on Tuesday night as he attempts to further resurrect an international career he refused to let slip away.
Asked if he ever feared his days in a green shirt were over, he said: "No, not at all.
"You just put your head down, go again and get on with it, don't moan and try to get picked again. I did in the last squad and this time, so I will try to do the same.
"I was out for seven or eight months and it's a nice opportunity to be back involved again. I missed it, especially when the games were on, big games against Sweden and Austria in qualifiers.
"It makes you really want to come back and be involved again."
Doyle's fall from grace was little short of spectacular - Trapattoni's rave reviews during the summer of 2010 coincided with speculation linking him with a series of clubs including Arsenal.
However, Wolves' subsequent difficulties and a lack of form for his country took their toll and where once he had been the first-choice partner for skipper Robbie Keane, he slipped first out of the team and then out of the squad.
The former Reading frontman said: "It was tough, it was very tough. Four of us from Wolves went to the Euros and three or four months later, none of us were in the Ireland squad.
"The manager, Giovanni, told us at the time he felt with the morale at Wolves, it wouldn't have been good for us to come into the squad and I accepted that, I had no problems.
"It's just nice to be involved again."
Doyle's return to the international set-up came with his fortunes having improved dramatically at club level too - a 1-0 win at Notts Country on Saturday sent them to the top of Sky Bet League One - and he is hoping promotion, if not a title charge, will help to cement his place in O'Neill's long-term plans.
Asked if he was confident of doing that while playing his football in England's third tier, he said: "It makes it a bit more difficult, obviously, but I don't think of it that way. I just get on with it and see if I can impress.
"I am enjoying playing at Wolves and hoping to win something - and if not, get automatic promotion - so we will see what it brings with Ireland then.
"It's been fantastic, to be honest. It doesn't matter what division you are in when you are winning games.
"Yesterday we won and we went top of the league - I'm disappointed they went top without me, but it's just nice to be around the place and everyone is smiling, everyone is happy and we are up and challenging to get promoted.
"It's not been easy, though. Actually, it's been very difficult. We haven't walked away with any games, but it's been enjoyable to be part of it."
O'Neill's reign was launched in style on Friday evening, when Ireland were also boosted by news of Greece's play-off victory over Romania, which means the Republic should be among the second group of seeds for the Euro 2016 qualifying draw.
Trapattoni's men, of course, made it to the Euro 2012 finals but returned from Poland without a point, and Doyle is hopeful that the seeding and the expanded tournament will make life a little easier this time around.
He said: "It's another little thing that makes a difference. It's going to help.
"Obviously you don't know who is going to be in your group and we could be unlucky and get someone who is not really a third seed, but just happens to be lower-ranked.
"But it's bound to help us. Little things like that, little bits of luck, is what we need. Maybe it's a sign of a change in our fortunes."
Joey O'Brien was expected to leave the Republic squad on Sunday after undergoing a scan on a hamstring injury.
The West Ham defender was sent for tests on Saturday after reporting a problem during the warm-up ahead of the previous night's victory over Latvia.
Midfielder Andy Reid returned to his club, Nottingham Forest, on Saturday with a similar injury.
However, central defender Sean St Ledger, who was also a doubt, was expected to travel to Poland.

Szczesny extends Gunners stay

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, the Barclays Premier League club have announced.
The Poland international, who is in his third full season with the north London club, joined Arsenal's academy in 2006 from his hometown club of Legia Warsaw.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told the club's official website: "We're very pleased Wojciech has signed a new long-term contract. I have always believed he is an extremely talented player, with excellent reflexes and good mental strength.
"He continues to grow and improve all the time too, so he has the potential to be even better. He can be an important part of Arsenal Football Club for many years to come."
Szczesny made his debut for the Gunners in a League Cup win over West Brom in 2009 and has featured 121 times for Arsenal.
The 23-year-old said: "I am very pleased to have signed a new contract. Arsenal is like my family and I'm so happy to be committing my long-term future here.
"I've been at this club for over seven years now and I'd just like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support towards me during my time here.
"Many people have given me amazing support since I arrived as a boy, people like (Arsenal goalkeeper coach) Tony Roberts, who helped my development as a player from a young age.
"I'm so proud to be an Arsenal player and am looking forward to helping our club towards success in the years to come."