Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has insisted that he harbours no animosity toward Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for replacing him with Petr Cech in the summer.

The Gunners signed the Czech from Chelsea, with Wenger then loaning Szczesny to Roma in favour of keeping David Ospina to challenge the 33-year-old for the number one shirt.

At £10m, the Polish stopper concedes that Cech - who won four Premier League titles in West London - was a bargain, and understands his manager's decision to let go of him.

"I'm not stupid – if you buy one of the world's best goalkeepers it's not to keep him on the bench," he told Polish website Futbolfejs.

"I actually wanted to stay and challenge him for the spot but after a conversation with Wenger it was obvious that I should be looking for new opportunities."

When asked if he understood Wenger's decision to sign Cech, Szczesny added: "Are you joking? For that little money? Of course he had to.

"If someone offered him Cristiano Ronaldo for a good price, he would have to buy him. The manager has to think about the club and its fortunes.

"Why would Wenger not do it? Because Wojciech Szczesny, who grew up at the club, is here? Let's be serious – Wenger has to consider the overall good of the club first."

Szczesny, 25, was dropped as the Gunners' number one in the Premier League last January when he was caught smoking in the changing rooms after a 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

He kept his place in the FA Cup, however, and helped Arsenal go all the way in that competition. They sit level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.