Earlier in the week, it was reported that Wojciech Szczesny was caught smoking in the showers following the 2-0 defeat to Southampton on New Year’s Day, and fined £20,000 by the club.
But does the punishment fit the crime?
The Poland international was at fault for both goals that game which left Arsene Wenger infuriated and even more so after the 24-year-old’s latest wrongdoing.
Szczesny was dropped in our 2-0 FA Cup third round win over Hull over the weekend, and while some may believe it was due to the Pole’s misconduct, Wenger was always going to give David Ospina a run in this competition.
While £20,000 is an annual income to some, to Szczesny it’s peanuts – he probably looked in between his couch cushions – and for me doesn’t justify a punishment for a person who is looked up to by millions of Arsenal fans around the world.
It remains to be seen whether Wenger will stick or leave Szczesny on the bench against Stoke City this Saturday.
However, Wenger dealt with a similar incident in the past involving Jack Wilshere and ex-Gunner William Gallas who were both caught smoking while on nights out and were reminded of their responsibilities as footballers.
Many people are suggesting that Szczesny has played his last game for the club. Now to me, this seems a little extreme – after all, it is only a smoking incident (a lot of footballers do it off the field). And while it shouldn’t be publicised, the fact is Szczesny remains our best goalkeeper at the club and Wenger stands by his players, he always has done.
But in terms of his punishment, I believe the club should have fined him two weeks wages and given him a warning. In addition, Wenger will hate to do it, but the Frenchman should drop him for a few games to teach him a lesson that he’s not indispensable.
Now if Wenger doesn’t bring in a new goalkeeper before the January transfer window then expect to see Szczesny between the sticks soon, perhaps not against Stoke but he will feature for us again.
