by Lewis Ambrose
Speaking to Italian radio, Polish legend Zibi Boniek has said he is pleased that Wojciech Szczesny is set to join AS Roma on loan.
Boniek is head of the Polish FA but played 80 times for his country during his playing days and even spent 6 seasons in Italy himself, playing for giants Juventus and Szczesny’s new club Roma.
“I spoke to Szczesny and I’d be very happy if he came to Roma,” Boniek said. “He is an experienced goalkeeper, very tall and has good technique.”
“I’ve known him for a long time, as he’s an international. He had a row with Wenger, who froze him out of the team.”
David Ospina was instated as Arsenal’s first choice goalkeeper in the Premier League and Champions Leaue after Szczesny performed badly at Southampton on New Year’s Day and responded by smoking in the showers after the game.
“He has a few bad habits, like smoking a cigarette after a game, but these are not very serious problems,” insisted Boniek.
Missing out on regular football at Arsenal cost Szczesny his place in the national team and the move to Roma could get his career back on the right track as long as he starts ahead of Morgan De Sanctis.
“Szczesny is now second choice for Poland because the coach wants someone who starts regularly for his club side.
“There’s a big difference between Szczesny and Morgan De Sanctis, as he is on a whole other level. He’s good with his feet and can put the ball straight back into play.
“If this goes through, Roma will have made a good move.”
It looks like that move is set to go through, with Szczesny arriving in Rome on Monday.
“I heard Wenger wants him for the future of Arsenal,” Boniek added. “That seems a bit of a hypocritical comment, seeing as he sent him away by signing Petr Cech.”
Szczesny is eight years Čech’s junior and, should he impress in Serie A, there’s no reason he can’t come back and fight for his place next season. Hopefully this is a move that works out well for both Szczesny and Arsenal, who have invested a lot of time in the goalkeeper since he arrived as a teenager.