Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny revealed that he suffered a nightmare year in 2012 as the Premier League club also suffered another frustrating season.

The Poland international was sent off in the opening game of Euro 2012 and also conceded four to AC Milan at the San Siro in the Champions League before injury to his ankle in the 6-1 win over Southampton in September cost him playing time in the first half of the current season.

The Gunners also had to make do with a seventh year without silverware, but Szczesny believes that the team have improved their form after losing 2-0 to Swansea at the start of December, and that they can overturn the Swans in their FA Cup third round clash.

“It was a difficult year for me,” Szczesny told The Daily Mirror.

“We didn’t perform well enough to play for this club. We knew after we lost to them [Swansea] that we needed to change.

“We are working harder in training, we have stayed together and turned it around.

“Everyone realises how big this FA Cup is,” he added.

“Last year was tough. But I have become more professional in my preparation to stop getting an injury.”