A lot has been said about Arsenal’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and the Gunners’ defending as of late ad it seems the father of the Polish ‘keeper is the latest to weigh in on the situation. In an interview with Przegladu Sportowego, Maciej Szczesny defended his son and blamed Arsenal’s back line for the Gunners’ lacklustre defensive record:

"He made a mistake for the first (Southampton) goal, coming too far from the goal, but please look at the Arsenal defence - how these guys are playing is a disaster, but for some reason, nobody pays any attention to it.”

 "Laurent Koscielny should immediately have run (back) to protect Wojciech, and Per Mertesacker should have stood in the goal.”

He went on to say:

“The entire defence has been embarrassing this season! Laurent Koscielny didn’t protect him for the first goal and Per Mertesacker should have stopped the goal. Mertesacker in this situation showed the agility of a rhinoceros!”

He also went on to say how criticism for his soon is fine, but it must be constructive:

"Wojciech needs someone who'll critically analyse every game with him but also remain positive."

Szczesny has been under the spotlight following his display at Southampton and his apparent smoking in the showers after the game. His father was soon to disband these allegations, claiming the smoking story was totally made up:

 “Today smoking is a rarity among the players. And, in the showers? Its not true! British journalists are known for making up stories.”

He adds: “I don’t believe Wojciech is dumb enough to smoke in the locker room,”

Arsenal legend Martin Keown also weighed in on the smoking debate today in the Daily Mail, where a fan asked him if he ever smoked in the showers. Keown spoke of his confusion at players smoking in any way as it affects your fitness:

“I can never understand why players would ever do that. Why would you put yourself at a disadvantage? You work damn hard to keep fit and surely that means you can’t be playing to your maximum.”

He also spoke of the allegations toward the Pole :

“As for Wojciech Szczesny, I’m surprised and disappointed. He’s bright and well-educated so I’m surprised. He’s Arsenal No 1 so for the sake of a few cigarettes it sounds like he could lose that. Is it worth it? Probably not.”

It remains to be seen who will start between the goals this weekend but it’s certainly up in the air at the moment.