Szczesny caught smoking in player's shower & could be benched at Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has yet to decide whether or not Wojciech Szczesny will return to the starting line-up against Stoke City on Sunday after the goalkeeper was caught smoking in the players' showers on New Year's Day.

Wenger has taken a dim view of the incident, Thegoalmac understands, and is set to fine the Poland international £20,000 for his behaviour.

The incident has left Szczesny sweating on his Arsenal future, with David Ospina impressing against Hull City after replacing the 24-year-old – who made two high-profile errors against the Saints – for the FA Cup third-round tie.

Szczesny has been embroiled in such a situation before and was forced to apologise after he was caught smoking in 2013.

Wenger is known to be a firm critic of smoking, having publicly criticised Jack Wilshere after the England international was pictured lighting up following the Three Lions' World Cup exit.

Arsenal currently lie in sixth in the Premier League ahead of their game against Stoke and will hope to gain revenge on the Potters after Mark Hughes's men ran out 3-2 winners when the two sides met earlier this season at the Britannia Stadium.

Should the Gunners record a victory, they could move level on points with fourth-placed Southampton.