We’ve all been there, haven’t we? (For the record, I’ve never been there. I don’t smoke.)
A flat tire to start your morning, your usual taco joint was all out of barbacoa, you sat through an insufferable lecture from your idiotic boss and to top all of that off, traffic is a nightmare on your way home to basement full of rainwater from the night before. You just need a quick cigarette (or three — thanks, traffic!), and you’ll be good.
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny seems to know this feeling all too well. Szczesny, who is apparently at least an occasional smoker, was reportedly caught lighting up in the St. Mary’s Stadium showers following Arsenal’s 2-0 New Year’s Day defeat, which was underlined by the Pole’s poor performance in goal. Here, Szczesny’s pair of blunders can be seen all but gift-wrapping Southampton the three points that afternoon and resigning the Gunners to sixth place for the time being.
According to reports, Szczesny was fined £20,000 (just over $30,000) for the incident by an enraged Arsene Wenger. From the Daily Mail:
Szczesny wasn’t even on the bench for Arsenal’s 2-0 third-round FA Cup victory over Hull City on Sunday. That could, however, have very easily been a predetermined game off for Szczesny who has started 17 of 20 Premier League games this season, as well as six of eight in the Champions League.