Arsenal: Wojciech Szczcesny doubt offers chance for redemption

Massimiliano Allegri has stated that a deal for Wojciech Szczesny is not yet completed. Such doubt offers Arsenal and Arsene Wenger a chance at redemption.

As Wojciech Szczesny prepared to return to Arsenal after his second successive loan spell at Roma, it was anticipated that he would challenge David Ospina for the reserve role behind Petr Cech, where he would be groomed into the eventual starter, a position that had been his in the past and what was always hoped that he would return to.

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However, as the news cycle began whirring, it quickly became clear that Szczesny was not a part of Arsene Wenger’s goalkeeping plans. Oddly enough, though, it seemed as though neither was Ospina. It was certainly a strange situation.

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And to add to the strangeness, it was Juventus that were trying to take advantage of the situation by prizing Szczesny away from North London and back to Italy, seeing him as the heir apparent to Gianluigi Buffon. It felt as if Wenger was selling the future goalkeeping stalwart. However, while reports perhaps hinted otherwise, Massimiliano Allegri, in an interview with Sky Italia, when asked about the state of the deal for Szczesny, revealed that ‘it’s not done’:

"“It’s not done. I know that when I get back, Juve will have signed players who improve the squad, but that’s not easy because we’ve reached such a high level now that there are only a few players around who fit the bill. To move on, you need to find players who complete the areas where we are most lacking”"

They are extremely promising comments. The decision to sell Szczesny has been widely criticised by many figures in the media and most factions of the fan base. And rightly so. Szczesny has matured during his time at Roma, growing out of his boyish ways when he was the starter at the Emirates, understanding how he must behave on and off the pitch, and showing a greater desire and attitude to succeed.

Allowing such a player to leave seem counter-productive for a team that will have to replace Cech in the next couple of years thanks to his age. While Wenger seems set on selling Szczesny, as long as the deal has not been completed, there is still the chance for him to change his mind and redeem his earlier mistake.

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Whether someone as notoriously stubborn and stiff as Wenger would ever change his mind so substantially is another question. But the chance for redemption is still there. For now, at least.