Arsenal: Wojciech Szczesny future 'difficult' to assess says Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says it is "difficult" to measure whether goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has a long-term future in at the north London club despite being set to name the Poland international in goal for the FA Cup semi-final against Reading.

After falling behind 2014 summer signing David Ospina in the pecking order during the second half of the campaign, Szczesny has been consigned to being parachuted in for domestic cup ties, playing in the wins over Brighton and Hove Albion, Middlesbrough and Manchester United.

Ospina's regular run in the Arsenal team has coincided with an about-turn in the club's results, with 16 wins coming in the last 18 games, leaving Szczesny to consider life as the deputy stopper at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger informed both of his 'keepers at the start of the season that they would be rotated based on form and the competition, with the Colombian Ospina preferred since Szczesny was dropped following a mistake-ridden performance in the New Year's Day loss to Southampton.

Though the 24-year-old returns to the Gunners team for the last-four clash at Wembley, there are concerns over his career with the club but Wenger hopes he chooses to remain to fight for his place.

"At the moment that can change again, it depends on the performances of Wojciech and that can change," Wenger said.

"We are in a competitive world where you have to accept nothing is definitive. I hope yes [he stays] but at the moment it is very difficult to answer that question.

"I have a line of conduct which I respect. I replaced Wojciech because he had a bad game and that is not because I don't think he is a great goalkeeper and I want him to have the opportunity to show that.

"They know the rules, [which I explained] at the start of the season. [Selection] is on merit because if you have a disastrous game you don't play the next one.

"First the priority is the competition, the quality of the competition and once you have the rule based on the fact that Wojciech played well in the game against Manchester United there is no reason to drop him for Saturday.

"It is based on how he played. If Wojciech had remained number one Ospina would have started on Saturday.

"It is their job to fight for places and no matter how difficult it is it is part of you job and I accept that it is difficult but when you choose this kind of job it's down to competition."

Arsenal approach their second FA Cup semi-final in as many years in contrast fashion having ended their nine-year wait for the trophy last term after beating Hull City.

Wenger's side slalomed past Championship side Wigan Athletic on penalties in last season's semi-final but, despite the alternative circumstances facing the 11-time winners, he admits the pressure to produce remains constant.

"[The expectation] is exactly the same," the 65-year-old maintained. "Maybe the environment is a bit less [pressured].

"You want to go to the final and get there and you have to be absolutely spot on in everything and you know that can always not go.

"You want to keep the positive vibes around the team and the club and there is only one way. I have enough experience to know how big that game is."