Wojciech Szczesny now announces shock decision amid rumours of Arsenal return

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Arsenal have been linked with several goalkeepers this summer, with Aaron Ramsdale increasingly likely to depart the Emirates.

Ramsdale has been linked with several sides including Wolves and Southampton, and Arsenal would need to bring in a backup goalkeeper if he is to leave.

Joan Garcia of Espanyol has been linked, but he would command a huge fee as the Spanish side hold out for his release clause.

Arsenal could also target a third-choice goalkeeper, and had bids for Wolves backup Dan Bentley rejected earlier in the window.

It has been reported that Arsenal want a “experienced homegrown” goalkeeper to add to their ranks this summer, but an option who could have fit perfectly in Wojciech Szczesny will no longer be available.

• READ MORE: Every player linked to and from Arsenal in the summer 2024 transfer window

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny retires from football

Szczesny has enjoyed great success with Juventus over the years, but he recently terminated his contract with the Italian giants.

This fuelled speculation over whether Szczesny could return to Arsenal. He left Arsenal in 2015, originally on loan to Roma, before joining Juventus.

The Poland International is a homegrown player at Arsenal, having spent time in the club’s academy, and could have been the perfect backup to David Raya given his experience.

However, Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Szczesny has retired from football with immediate effect.

Szczesny is just 34, and started for Poland at Euro 2024, with his final game coming against Austria in Berlin in the group stages.

Wojciech Szczesny enjoyed an outstanding career

Szczesny joined Arsenal as a youngster from Legia Warsaw in 2006, and spent a few years in the Hale End Academy before breaking into the first-team squad.

The 2010-11 season saw him overtake Manuel Almunia as the Arsenal number one, and he eventually won the Golden Glove in the 2013-14 season.

However, a dip in form saw Szczesny dropped after an altercation with Arsene Wenger in January 2015, and he would never play in the Premier League again. His last game came in the 2015 FA Cup final before he moved to Serie A.

Szczesny made 181 appearances for Arsenal, 81 appearances for Roma and 252 appearances for Juventus, as well as 84 appearances for Poland across several international tournaments.

There will be no emotional return to Arsenal now, as he has ended what became a fantastic career over the last 16 years.