Arsene Wenger warns Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny: 'I did military service and got paid in cigarettes. It excited us to smoke but I'm against it now...'
- Arsene Wenger leaves Wojciech Szczesny sweating on place in first team
- Gunners goalkeeper fined after being caught smoking in dressing room following their New Year's Day defeat at Southampton
- 'I am against smoking,' insists Arsenal boss Wenger
- Although Wenger used to smoke in the dugout while boss of Monaco
- Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey back in training ahead of Stoke City clash
- Click here for more Arsenal news
Arsene Wenger has left goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny sweating on his place in the team for Sunday's clash with Stoke following his smoking shame.
Szczesny, who has apologised to Wenger, has been fined after being caught smoking in the dressing room following the defeat to Southampton on New Year's Day.
And Wenger has not guaranteed the Pole his place in the team for Sunday's clash.
VIDEO Scroll down to see Wenger's comical response to Szczesny questioning
Wojciech Szczesny apologised to boss Arsene Wenger following smoking incident after Southampton loss
But Wenger on Friday insisted that his goalkeeper is not guaranteed to start against Stoke onSunday
Wenger smoking in the dugout during his days as manager of Monaco
Wenger revealed he grew up in a time of military service and was paid in cigarettes
'I've not selected the first XI yet,' said Wenger.
'I take everything into account when I pick my team. I don't want to talk about that, it doesn't need to be public.'
He added: 'We have three goalkeepers at Arsenal who are top class.'
Wenger, who used to smoke while in the dugout during his days in charge of Monaco, has insisted that he is now firmly opposed to the habit.
'I am against smoking. I grew up in a period where I did military service and got paid in cigarettes. It excited us to smoke.'
Mesut Ozil has been back in training for Arsenal ahead of their home game against Stoke City
Wenger has denied that he didn't wish Lukas Podolski farewell following the German's switch to Inter Milan
Wenger has also denied accusations from Lukas Podolski that he didn't wish the German farewell when he left for Inter Milan this week.
'I deny that completely, I had many conversations with him about going on loan. He needed my permission and I gave him my position.'
Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Mathieu Flamini have all been training ahead of the visit of Stoke, but Danny Welbeck is still unavailable. The Gunners will, however, be boosted by the return from suspension of Olivier Giroud.
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