Wojciech Szczesny ended his 11-year affiliation with Arsenal when he signed for Juventus on Thursday.
A product of our youth academy, the Polish goalkeeper won back-to-back Emirates FA Cups with us and represented his country on 28 occasions, including at two European Championships.
Now moving to Italy permanently after spending the past two seasons on loan at Roma, Szczesny will certainly be missed around London Colney, but Arsene Wenger believes it is the best move for the 27-year-old’s development.
“We wish him well,” the manager told Arsenal Player. “I think he is an Arsenal boy, an Arsenal man but we have so many top-class goalkeepers that we gave him a chance to remain in Italy.
“Juventus bought him tonight at only one year of contract to go. I think that it’s very good for his future because he will certainly take over from Buffon and I believe as well that he will always be thankful to Arsenal because Arsenal was a big step in his career.
“If you look at the keepers we have educated, they are all doing well. We had of course Wojciech and now Emi Martinez coming out of our ranks. We have Matt Macey behind and all are doing very, very well.”
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