Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has joined Italian side Roma on a season-long loan, both clubs have confirmed. The Polish ‘keeper fell out of favour with the club last season after a smoking incident, and with the signing of Petr Cech from Chelsea, the former first choice shot stopper fell down the pecking order and is looking to move away from the club in order to revitalise his career.
In May, Szczesny said that he did not want to leave the North London club for as long as he was wanted, but with competition for places, including David Ospina potentially moving away from the club and Damian Martinez emerging through the ranks and on to the scene, it appears that Arsene Wenger may no longer need the Polish international – for the time being.
The move to Roma is a loan and no more, meaning that while Szczesny is not wanted at the club at the moment, Wenger does not want to completely get rid of the 25-year-old, so a loan move made most sense, with the hope that the former Legia Warsaw man can mature and develop his array of talents whilst in Rome.
Szczesny has made 181 appearances for Arsenal, and was sent out on loan to Brentford during the 2009/10 season, which saw the Pole become the Gunners’ number one, but poor form led to him being dropped in the league last season, with David Ospina replacing the Roma-bound ‘keeper.
