LONDON // Wojciech Szczesny is very much part of the new wave of footballers who are part of the Facebook and Twitter generation.
So Szczesny did not take long to offer some of his thoughts and post a few pictures on the social-networking sites he is a member of following his unexpected Premier League debut at Manchester United last Monday night.
Of course it is very easy to paint airbrushed images on such sites. There was, though, a hint that while Szczesny is known to be supremely confident - even a touch arrogant - the 20-year-old Pole also seems to have a self-effacing nature.
When reflecting on his performance in Arsenal's 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford, he told his Twitter followers: "Tomorrow I will learn to kick the ball beyond the half way line -apologies for my distribution and the result at Old Trafford."
By the very nature of their lonely job, keepers have to be supremely single-minded, which is why a hint of arrogance is no bad thing. But in a role where the margins between hero and zero are so fine, the ability to be self-analytical can be a help.
Szczesny's kicking from his goal area was indeed substandard in Manchester. But other than that, he cut a composed figure. He pulled off some impressive saves but, most importantly, commanded the box.
He could not do anything about Ji-Sung Park's headed winner but surely did enough to keep his place in the side for today's home game with Stoke City.
One man not surprised by Szczesny's promising start was Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager.
"I have always believed we have quality keepers at this club and Wojciech came in and did a very good job," the Frenchman said.
"But I also have a lot of confidence in Lukasz Fabianksi and also Vito Mannone who has done well on loan at Hull. I think we have a good competition between the keepers."
It is difficult to make too grand an assessment about Szczesny on the evidence of the United game, but he would seem to have plenty of talent and appears more mature than his age suggests.
That will have much to do with the fact he first arrived in England aged 15 when the coaching staff at Legia Warsaw realised they had a major talent on their hands and let him go to Arsenal.
Last year, he spent the second half of the season at the League One side Brentford and proved he could cut it amongst men with a string of impressive displays.
It may well be that Wenger could still look to bring in a more experienced goalkeeper during the transfer window next month. But it was clever psychology to give Szczesny his debut in such a high-profile match when he would not have had time to be nervous. Not that Szczesny had any doubts about his own ability.
Earlier this year he threatened to leave in January with his contract expiring in the summer. His reward was to get a new, five-year deal and now the chance to claim a regular place in the first XI.
At the time Szczesny insisted: "I am ready to play at a high level and need a club which won't be afraid to rely on a 20-year-old goalkeeper. I know Arsenal are fighting for trophies but if you want to win anything you must play your best players - not the oldest ones."
The brinkmanship has worked. Now Szczesny must back up the bold words of this prediction to make sure he does not fall flat.
7pm, Abu Dhabi Sports 3 & 5
Other matches
Birmingham City v Newcastle United
Alan Pardew, the Newcastle manager, is confident he can make Andy Carroll an even better player under his guidance. The 21-year-old has made huge strides in the past 12 months to establish himself as the club's leading striker, which has seen him net 10 league goals so far this term, as well as force his way into senior England contention. "In his performances, he has set himself his own standards, and I will continue that and improve on that if I can," said Pardew.
7pm, Abu Dhabi Sports 4
Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United
Avram Grant denies he has been given an ultimatum by the West Ham board of three games to save his job – and maintains he goes into every match like it could be the last. He said: "I approach every game like it's the last game of my job in football. When you are in the football business ... you never know what is around the corner." Sam Allardyce, the former Blackburn manger who was sacked last week, could be a contender to replace him at Upton Park.
7pm, Abu Dhabi Sports 6
Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers
Steve Bruce has gone against the grain of other managers by claiming that Bolton's style of play has not changed under Owen Coyle. Coyle has earned many plaudits from his peers for trying to turn Wanderers from a long-ball team into a side that likes to pass the ball around, but Bruce, the Sunderland manager, said: "Hats off to them. Owen's done a smashing job but I don't think they're playing that much different. If that's disrespectful to them, then I'll take that."
4.45pm, Abu Dhabi Sports 3
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa
Gerard Houllier has played down reports of dissent over his training methods since being named Aston Villa manager three months ago. The Frenchman said there was no incident involving captain Richard Dunne, who was axed for last Saturday's home win against West Bromwich Albion. He said: "I've read about dissent in the squad over training methods but it is not true." He added: "We are changing a lot of things and that upsets the comfort of some players."
7pm, Abu Dhabi Sports 7