The young Pole has endured a torrid few months and been usurped by countryman Lukasz Fabianski in the Gunners goal, and his father is adamant his manager is responsible
Arsene Wenger is to blame for Wojciech Szczesny’s alarming slump in form, the goalkeeper’s father insists.
Szczesny has endured a torrid time on the pitch since experiencing a disappointing Euro 2012 with Poland, and in recent weeks has lost his place as the Gunners’ No.1 to countryman Lukasz Fabianski.
And the player’s father Maciej, himself a former Poland goalkeeper, is adamant his son’s problems date back to the end of last season, when he claims Wenger made the youngster play through injury.
“Wenger already started to look for the scapegoat,” Szczesny told Przeglad Sportowy. “It is not the way the boss should behave.
“Wojciech has had two serious injuries. He played with one in April and May last year. He shouldn’t have agreed to play that time, but the coach insisted.
“Wojciech did not train the whole week and then a warm up on Friday and played the match on Saturday. He was naturally more susceptible to minor injuries and his form was going down.
“Wenger was playing with the young man’s good health and Wojciech agreed foolishly.
“In my opinion Mr Wenger messed up a lot in April and May. I don’t blame the young man who went along with his coach, his current lack of form is a result of those two months.
“Then in August there was a foot injury after which he played almost instantly.
“After seven weeks out Wojciech trained for just seven days and played the match. How on earth can he be on his highest form?”
Szczesny Sr believes his son will get back to his best, but hints he may have to disregard Wenger’s instructions in order to do so.
“I told him ‘Don’t play, don’t stretch your arm. Take a break, heal it. The time will come when you will pay the price for missing training sessions.
‘You will be in worse form and Wenger will ignore you. He will not remember about your commitment.’
“This last period has not been successful for Wojciech, the fact that Arsene Wenger did not take him to Munich shows something.
“However, I think my son can be the No1 keeper over 10 years, he just needs to come back to form and then a situation where we can stop to wonder who will stand between the posts.”