Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny excited to join 'massive club' Roma

Wojciech Szczesny says the decision to swap Arsenal for AS Roma was "easy" after clinching his season-long loan move to the Serie A giants.

Petr Cech's arrival in north London from Chelsea has seen the Poland international slip down the pecking order following a campaign where he lost his place to David Ospina as the number one.

Szczesny was dropped after the New Year's Day defeat at Southampton and became Arsenal's stopper for their run to the FA Cup final, starting the 4-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley.

But following the signing of Cech, Szczesny's hopes of reclaiming the number one jersey have taken a blow. A move to Roma will see him play first team football next season.

The 25-year-old believes he has a key role to play for Roma this season after being deemed surplus to requirements at Arsenal.

"It was an easy decision," he told a press conference, according to Sky Sports. "It's a massive club, one of the biggest in Europe.

"For me to have the opportunity to come here for at least a year and show my qualities and learn and play in a very difficult league, the Champions League also. It is a fantastic experience. I think any player would be proud to represent this club.

"The manager (Rudi Garcia) thinks I am capable of helping the team. The team is capable of helping me as well so it will be a very good experience but most of all I just want to win. That is what I am here for, I am here to win games."

Fifteen players have left Arsenal this summer, either permanently or on loan. Abou Diaby, Ryo Miyaichi and Lukas Podolski have moved on long-term deals, while Szczesny has left for the season along with Carl Jenkinson and Yaya Sanogo.

Having won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League, Cech is expected to being the season as Arsenal's number one ahead of Ospina -- with his first competitive game coming against former club Chelsea in the Community Shield.