Szczesny’s father criticises Arsenal’s defence
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny should not be singled out for Arsenal’s defensive failings this season, according to the father of the Poland international.
Szczesny has found his position under the spotlight this week following reports he was caught smoking in the showers after Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year’s Day, when his errors played a part for both goals.
It remains to be seen whether the 24-year-old will be back between the posts for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League game against Stoke at the Emirates Stadium after he was replaced by Colombian David Ospina for last weekend’s FA Cup tie versus Hull – a move always planned by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
Reports suggest the player will be fined around £20,000 for his alleged misdemeanour, but Maciej Szczesny, himself a former Poland international goalkeeper, claims the Arsenal defenders must also shoulder their share of the blame for when things went wrong on the pitch.
Speaking in an interview with Polish newspaper Przeglad Sportowy, Maciej Szczesny maintained reports of the smoking incident and a bust-up with Wenger were inaccurate, although he admitted he had not spoken to his son directly about the issue.
“I heard he smokes from time to time, but he is not that stupid to smoke at the shower after the match,” he said.
The 49-year-old also called for more focus to be placed on Arsenal’s shortcomings in other areas rather than just the form of their goalkeeper.
“He made a mistake for the first (Southampton) goal, coming too far from the goal, but please look at the Arsenal defence – how these guys are playing is a disaster, but for some reason, nobody pays any attention to it.
“Laurent Koscielny should immediately have run (back) to protect Wojciech, and Per Mertesacker should have stood in the goal.
“Unfortunately they did not do that and gave him zero support, and in that situation Mertesacker showed the agility of a rhinoceros.”
“Someone should support him, but the coaching staff at Arsenal are not doing that, meanwhile the entire defence this season is an embarrassment.”
Maciej Szczesny feels his son, renowned for his character on and off the pitch, is not “developing as fast as he could”.
He continued: “It is up to people who train him. Wojciech should be at the higher level right now. He should be better keeper.
“He should not only listen to people that only pat him at his shoulders. He needs somebody to kick his ar** from time to time.
“He lives his life the way he does. I do not interfere. I can say one thing - who is not moving forward goes backwards.”
Wenger is expected to step up efforts to bring in some much-needed defensive cover as the January transfer window continues.
St Etienne captain Loic Perrin is one reported target, along with Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista. Arsenal’s Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell could be sent to Spain on loan as a makeweight for the Brazilian, who would require a work permit ahead of any potential move to England.
Elsewhere, negotiations continue with Legia Warsaw over a proposed £2million move for teenage midfielder Krystian Bielik, while forward Yaya Sanogo is expected to go out on loan, with Bordeaux keen to take him back to France.
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