Deadline day at Arsenal was all about goalkeepers.
Out went Aaron Ramsdale – Southampton securing what manager Russell Martin calls a ‘huge signing’ – and in comes Neto.
Arsenal signed the AFC Bournemouth captain on loan, after getting cold feet about the prospect of a £25 million deal for Espanyol glovesman Joan Garcia.
Neto, formerly of Juventus, Barcelona, Valencia, Fiorentina and the Brazilian national team, brings considerable experience to The Emirates, not to mention a track record of playing back-up to some of the finest shot-stoppers around.
After supporting Gianluigi Buffon at Juve and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen at Barca, now he will find himself trying to push David Raya to new heights at London Colney.
Veteran Neto turned 35 this summer.
That makes him a year older than a certain Wojciech Szczesny. But while Neto obviously feels he still has a lot to give at the top level of the game, his junior made a very different call.
Arsenal were keen to bring Wojciech Szczesny back
34-year-old Szczesny, HITC understands, was an option for Arsenal, The Gunners looking into the prospect of bringing back their old number one after his contract at Juventus expired.
But, explaining the surprising decision to hang up his gloves rather than to make a return to his North London roots, the former Poland ace admits that he quickly decided against the idea once the Premier League challengers made their interest known.
“Sentiment kicked in, and I was open to talks with Arsenal out of respect for the club,” Szczesny tells 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.
“I didn’t start talks with anyone, not even with Mikel,” the goalkeeper adds. “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.
Capped 84 times by his country, Szczesny came through the ranks at Arsenal and eventually established himself as the club’s first-choice before joining Roma and bringing an end to 11 years as a Gunners player.
He then accumulated three Serie A titles with Juventus, and retires after the Bianconeri brought in Michele di Gregorio from Monza to take his place.
Neto is Mikel Arteta’s new number two goalkeeper
“I left Warsaw, my hometown in June of 2006 to join Arsenal with one dream – to make a living out of football,” Szczesny says via his official Instagram account when hanging up his gloves. “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.
“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,” adds Szczesny who, if you spot the clue, might be pretty excited for the return of two Mancunian siblings. “I gave the game 18 years of my life, everyday, without excuses. Today, although 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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