Szczesny’s dad: Blame stupid Per not my son
THE father of underfire Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny has ridiculed Per Mertesacker due to his lack of agility. Maciej Szczesny hit out at Arsenal’s ‘minefield’ defence in an interview with Polish newspaper Przeglad Sportowy, claiming his son was unfairly criticised for two goals conceded at Southampton on New Year’s Day, when he was not helped by centre halves Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.
‘He made a mistake for the first goal, coming too far from the goal, but look at the Arsenal defence,’ said Maciej. ‘The way these guys are playing is a disaster and for some reason no- one pays any attention to this.
‘Koscielny should run back to protect him and Mertesacker should be stood in the goal. They gave him no support and Mertesacker showed the agility of a running pole (a Polish expression for someone stupid). For the second goal, he should kick the ball because he cannot pick it up but it was passed to him so badly (by Mathieu Debuchy) only three metres from the goal.
‘ He just behaves instinctively. Ninetynine goalkeepers out of 100 would react the same way. Unfortunately, Wojciech is playing with guys who put him in a minefield.’
Szczesny Snr disputed the story that his son was fined by Arsene Wenger because he was smoking in the showers after the Southampton game, claiming it was ‘fairytales’ from the English media, but admitted he had not spoken to Wojciech about it. ‘Wojciech is well-educated and he knows it is unacceptable,’ he said.
Arsenal, however, have not moved to deny the allegations and Wenger selected his No 2 keeper David Ospina for the FA Cup tie against Hull three days later, though he made clear at the time this had always been his plan.
Wenger’s dilemma is what to do against Stoke on Sunday. It is an awkward game for Ospina, inexperienced in English football since his summer move from Nice, as it will probably feature lots of of aerial activity.
Arsenal’s third- choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez struggled during the 3-2 defeat at Stoke last month, and has not played for the club since. Szczesny expects to play but there are clear concerns at the club about the 24-year-old Pole’s attitude.
Discontent still lingers from his reaction to a red card against Bayern Munich last season and the ‘selfie’ he organised with teammates on the pitch after a win at Tottenham in March. His long-term future as Arsenal’s No 1 will remain in doubt, even if he returns against Stoke.
Despite offering his support, Maciej — who was a goalkeeper for Poland and is now a television pundit — retains the critical eye of a father over Wojciech’s personal development, and is not convinced Arsenal are doing all they should.
‘He should not lose his place in the team in my opinion,’ said the 49-year- old. ‘He should play, but not long ago he was improving fast. Now he is standing in the same place, not improving. He should be a much better keeper right now.
‘Maybe he would be if he didn’t just listen to those who say only compliments and if he listened to those who tell him when he does wrong and can help him. Even to kick him up the backside.
‘He is living his life the way he likes — sometimes misbehaving. People are scared of him because he is a strong character, so he only listens to opinions that he is a great guy, but that’s not the right way.
‘It’s not my business. I just say if you stand in one place you are making a step back. Wojciech, right now, is standing in one place.’
Together with his admission that they have not spoken since the Southampton game, these comments about the yes-men who surround Arsenal’s keeper have been interpreted in Poland as an admission that father and son are not on the best of terms.