Arsenal: Wojciech Szczęsny keen to extend Roma stay as permanent Gunners exit looms

Wojciech Szczęsny is desperate to extend his stay at Roma having revealed the Serie A club have opened talks with Arsenal over a permanent move.

Szczęsny, 26, left the Gunners during the summer transfer window following the arrival of Petr Cech, joining the Serie A club on a season-long loan deal. Having been told his first-team opportunities would be limited in north London, the Poland international has thrived in Italy, becoming Roma's no.1 choice in goal.

The shot-stopper recently explained he is "very happy" in the Italian capital and has already informed both Roma and Arsenal where he would like to play next season.

Roma are now just one win away from guaranteeing a spot in next season's Champions League and the club have already begun talks to ensure Szczęsny is part of those plans.

"I would love to stay but it is an issue that unfortunately I cannot decide myself," Szczęsny was quoted as saying by Il Messaggero. "The two clubs [Arsenal and Roma] are in discussions. Let's see what will happen. I'm happy to have helped the team and winning the title must be the next objective for this club."

Szczęsny made his Arsenal début in 2009 and was handed the no. 1 shirt in 2012. While he won the Premier League Golden Glove at the end of the 2013-14 season, he endured a turbulent 2014-15 campaign that eventually saw him dropped from the first-team.

After being found culpable for two goalkeeping errors during a defeat to Southampton, he was fined £20,000 by Arsenal after he was caught smoking in the changing room showers after the defeat. While David Ospina was largely Arsene Wenger's first choice option in goal for the remainder of the league campaign, Szczęsny returned for the FA Cup final win over Aston Villa, keeping a clean sheet in the 4-0 win over the west Midlands team.