Wojciech Szczesny has launched a scathing attack on his father before Arsenal’s FA Cup final against Aston Villa.
The Poland goalkeeper is vying with David Ospina to start in Saturday’s match at Wembley having lost his place to the Colombian earlier this season.
Szczesny’s father Maciej – himself a former international goalkeeper – wrote a blog in his homeland which criticised manager Arsène Wenger and called on the Frenchman to allow his son to leave the club.
“Mr Wenger is simply not loyal to people,” he wrote.
“He does not always keep his word and is not honest. Wenger claims there is a cigarette ash on his suit jacket whereas in fact it’s his own dandruff.
“In this situation, let him [Szczesny] depart, but only for a stronger team where he will compete with similar goals as Arsenal.
“He cannot go to Swansea like [Lukasz] Fabianski just to play, but to somewhere where he will be appreciated and not fall below a reputation which over the years has earned in London.”
That caused Szczesny to hit back against his father, who he claims he hasn’t spoken to for more than two years.
“Really shouldn’t be dealing with this one day before the cup final but my father leaves me no choice,” Szczesny wrote on his Facebook page.
“I have not spoken to him in more than 2 years and just like everybody else I have had enough of his idiotic comments about The Football Club and The Manager I owe so much to! Therefore please do not consider his comments as my shared view. Thank You for your understanding!”
Szczesny Sr. spoke up for his son when he was singled out for criticism following Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year’s Day, when Szczesny’s errors had played a part for both goals. The 25-year-old was reportedly fined after being caught smoking in the showers at St Mary’s – an accusation his father described as “bollocks”.
“It doesn’t surprise me as they are known for making stuff up. I have heard Wojciech smokes sometimes but he’s not that stupid to smoke in the dressing room,” said Szczesny Sr.
“He made a mistake for the first [Southampton] goal, coming too far from the goal, but please look at the Arsenal defence. Laurent Koscielny should immediately have run [back] to protect Wojciech and Per Mertesacker should have stood in the goal. Mertesacker showed the agility of a rhinoceros. Wojciech is often paying for it [the mistakes], and that he really cares.”