Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Polish international goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny has apologised for smoking in the dressing room following the 2-0 loss to Southampton, but has not ruled out that Szczęsny could be dropped for Sundays match against Stoke following on from the mistakes he made at St Mary’s.
“I haven’t selected the first XI yet. I take everything into account,” Wenger replied when asked number two keeper David Ospina would be in nets for the game against the Potters.
“I don’t want to talk about that because what happens in our dressing room stays in our dressing room – apart from the fact that it doesn’t stay in there.
“Of course (he has apologised). He is a serious boy who works very hard, he doesn’t need all that. He made a mistake, he is not the first one or the last one.
“You can do what you want at home. You have a freedom. My issue is that the players here are judged on their performances. Ideally, the best way to have a high level as possible is to behave as close to the rules.”
Szczęsny‘s father even got involved in the controversy defending his son while blaming the Gunners defence for the goals.
When asked if Szczęsny smoking in the dressing room has damaged the image of the club.
“I don’t think so,” he said.
“Ideally, you want everyone to behave in the perfect way. I like him as a person, when he makes a mistake he stands up for it. He has contributed a lot to the good image of Arsenal Football Club.
“I don’t need to make a big fuss of it. Every club has internal discipline and rules and it does not have to be public. I don’t want to talk more about it. I don’t listen to the fathers, the mothers or the grandmother or the grandfathers.”
