Wenger: Szczesny smoking saga over

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has accepted an apology from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for smoking but has hit out at claims made by German striker Lukas Podolski after his move to Inter Milan.

Szczesny remains in contention for a return to the Arsenal side for tomorrow’s visit of Stoke despite smoking a cigarette following the New Year’s Day defeat at Southampton.

Wenger has spoken out against the habit in the past, with England midfielder Jack Wilshere having been pictured smoking on two separate occasions. But the Frenchman will still consider Szczesny, who was at fault for both the goals conceded at St Mary’s, after he apologised for the incident.