Former Arsenal star reveals why he called off talks to rejoin Mikel Arteta during transfer window

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was nearly joined by one of his former teammates this summer (Picture: Getty)

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has confirmed he was in talks to rejoin the club earlier in the transfer window.

The 34-year-old won two FA Cups alongside current manager Mikel Arteta earlier in his career before he joined Roma and latterly Juventus.

It has been another summer of upheaval in the goalkeeping department at the Emirates with Aaron Ramsdale and Karl Hein having left the club, the latter on loan.

David Raya, the club’s undisputed No.1, has now joined on a permanent basis from Brentford, while the experienced Neto joined from Bournemouth on deadline day.

Youngster Tommy Steford arrived from Ajax and is considered one for the future, but Arsenal also explored the possibility of signing Joan Garcia from Espanyol before refusing to pay his £18million release clause in full.

Szczesny, meanwhile, was available on a free after his Juventus contract expired in June but the Poland international has decided to call time on his career, having contemplated an emotional return to Arsenal.

‘Sentiment kicked in, and I was open to talks with Arsenal out of respect for the club,” Szczesny said Meczyki on YouTube. ‘But I knew it wasn’t for me. It was all about logistics. Something very significant would have to happen for this move to happen.

Wojciech Szczesny joined Arsenal at age 16 (Picture: Getty)

‘I didn’t start talks with anyone, not even with Mikel,’ the goalkeeper added. ‘I could have made a phone call and reached an agreement. The Arsenal option came up before I terminated my contract with Juventus.

‘I said; ‘OK, we can talk.’ But, two days, later I said it didn’t make much sense.’

Announcing his retirement earlier this week, the 84-cap veteran said: ‘I left Warsaw, my hometown in June of 2006 to join Arsenal with one dream – to make a living out of football.

‘Little did I know it would be a start of a journey of a lifetime. Little did I know that I would get to play for the biggest clubs in the world and represent my country 84 times. Little did I know that not only would I make a living out of the game but the game would become my whole life.

Szczesny played at Euro 2024 this summer (Picture: Getty)

‘I didn’t just realise my dreams, I’ve arrived where my imagination wouldn’t even dare to take me. I played the game at the highest level with the best players in history without ever feeling inferior. I’ve made friends for life, created unforgettable memories and met people who have made an incredible impact on my life.

‘Everything that I have and everything that I am I owe to the beautiful game of football…

‘But I also gave the game all I had. I gave the game 18 years of my life, every day, without excuses. Today, tough my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore. I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family – my amazing wife Marina and our two beautiful children Liam and Noelia. Therefore, I have decided to retire from professional football.’

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