Wojciech Szczesny's Latest Indiscretion Unlikely to See Him Dropped at Arsenal

The story of Wojciech Szczesny’s latest indiscretion broke in a decidedly unusual way.

First, former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen revealed on Danish television (h/t Caught Offside) that the goalkeeper had been involved in a row with Arsene Wenger in the wake of Arsenal’s New Year’s Day match with Southampton. Szczesny had reportedly received a significant fine and a warning he would not be considered for selection for the remainder of the season.

The last part of that sanction seemed particularly harsh, and it was no great surprise when Arsenal dismissed the reports.

However, John Cross of The Mirror then added an intriguing twist to the story. It seems, when it comes to Szczesny, there’s no smoke without fire. Cross explains:

"

Wojciech Szczesny has been fined £20,000 for smoking in the showers after a game.

He was caught lighting up following Arsenal’s New Year’s Day defeat at ­Southampton – to the fury of boss Arsene Wenger, who was already raging over the keeper’s error-strewn horror show.

"

That story has since been corroborated from a number of other sources, and the silence from inside the club is deafening.

So what are we to make of Szczesny’s bizarre infringement? Well, we know that Wenger is not a fan of his players smoking. When Jack Wilshere was caught doing just that in the summer, the Arsenal manager told the Press Association (h/t The Guardian):

"

I disagree completely with that behaviour. I don't know really what happened, so I will need to have a chat with him about that.

There are two things – first of all when you are a football player you are an example and as well you don't do what damages your health.

The fact is that you can damage your health at home, you can smoke at home and you can drink at home, and nobody sees it, but when you go out socially you also damage your reputation as an example.

"

Wenger might have suggested that he would prefer smoking to take place behind closed doors, but when he said that, it’s doubtful he meant within the confines of the dressing room. Leaving aside the illogical nature of lighting up beneath a stream of water, Szczesny’s behaviour shows a clear lack of respect for the rules his manager imposes.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

It will be particularly galling for Arsenal fans in the wake of a disappointing performance. Szczesny’s concentration appeared lacking against Southampton. Showing such an unprofessional attitude in the immediate aftermath of the game has compounded the errors.

Question marks over Szczesny’s attitude are understandable. He has found himself dropped before, with Wenger seemingly forced to use the threat of Lukasz Fabianski to refocus his No. 1. 

Clive Rose/Getty Images

However, in spite of Jensen’s claim, it’s difficult to imagine him being left out of the side this time around. Fabianski's replacement, David Ospina, may be an international goalkeeper, but he has almost no experience of English football. Throwing him into league games against the physicality of Stoke and the attacking threat of Manchester City would be an enormous risk.

Szczesny has already reportedly been fined, and it’s likely that Wenger will see that as sufficient punishment for this misdemeanor. The onus will now be on the goalkeeper to repay his manager’s faith on the pitch.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.