Szczesny fined £20,000 for smoking in the showers

The 24 year old keeper has been slapped with a £20,000 fine after he was caught smoking in the showers following a dismal performance against the Saints on New Year’s Day.Reports have since emerged the player had a cigarette following the match at St Mary’s Stadium, during which he was at fault for the goals, though the Gunners refused to comment on speculation the goalkeeper could be fined

Szcsesny allegedly had a major falling out with Wenger after a torrid game at St.Mary’s where the Arsenal number one was at fault for both the goals conceded. The former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen has subsequently alleged that Szczesny won’t feature for The Gunners this season after that major dressing room row, though Arsenal have denied the claim.

The Polish keeper was not used in their following game – the FA Cup third-round win over Hull – although Wenger’s policy has been to rotate his goalkeepers for cup matches. But doubts remain over Szczesny being recalled for Sunday’s Premier League match at home to Stoke.

“Szczesny was just caught at the wrong time. Wenger had the hump after the Southampton defeat and Szczesny took the brunt of it.” said one of his teammates.

This is not the first time when Wenger has faced such problems with his squad members, with Jack Wilshere and William Gallas being the defaulters on previous occasions.