Football
Wojciech Szczesny fails ‘fight’ to quit smoking 10 years after Arsenal incident
Wojciech Szczesny has made a candid admission about his struggle to quit smoking, revealing he has lost the fight against a habit he picked up early in his career. The 35-year-old goalkeeper, currently playing for Barcelona, shared his ongoing battle in a recent interview, reflecting on how smoking has continued to be part of his life a decade after his infamous incident at Arsenal.
Szczesny, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer last year, has quickly become a fan favorite despite serving primarily as a backup goalkeeper. In his 25 appearances for the La Liga club, he has suffered only one defeat. Barcelona fans have playfully embraced his reputation, often chanting “Szczesny fumador” – Spanish for “smoker Szczesny” – whenever he takes the field.

In an open conversation with ESPN, the Polish international addressed both his performance on the pitch and his personal shortcomings. He expressed a desire to be a positive role model, especially for younger players, while acknowledging that smoking is one area where he has failed to set the right example.
Szczesny became a topic of controversy in 2015 when he was caught smoking in Arsenal’s dressing room after a 2-0 defeat to Southampton. That moment marked a turning point in his relationship with the club, and though he went on to have a successful career with stints at Roma and Juventus, the smoking incident has lingered in public memory.
Looking back, Szczesny urged young fans to avoid following in his footsteps when it comes to smoking or using nicotine products. He admitted that the habit formed when he was very young and that despite understanding the health risks, he hasn’t been able to overcome it.
The goalkeeper, who earned 84 caps for Poland between 2009 and 2024, said he chose to be honest about his struggle because he sees no benefit in hiding it. He stressed that he’s not a politician, just a footballer, and prefers to answer questions truthfully, even if the topic is uncomfortable.
Szczesny previously spoke about the Arsenal dressing room incident on the Arsenal Nation podcast, confirming that then-manager Arsène Wenger was aware of his smoking. According to Szczesny, Wenger’s primary rule was not to smoke inside the dressing room. However, after that tough loss to Southampton, he lit a cigarette in a concealed corner of the showers, a decision that sparked significant backlash.
His story stands out in a sport where few active players speak openly about personal vices like smoking or drinking. By sharing his experience, Szczesny hopes to dissuade others from making the same choices and to highlight the long-term consequences of forming such habits early in life.
For those looking to quit smoking in the UK, the NHS offers free support and resources. Assistance is also available through the Smokefree National Helpline at 0300 123 1044.
Football
‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer
Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.
The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.
In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.
The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.
Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.
Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.
Football
Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider
Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.
In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.
The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.
With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.
Football
Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.
A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.
Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.
Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.
Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.
After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.
Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.
-
Football12 months ago
Antony scores another worldie with stunning free-kick vs ex-Man Utd team-mate
-
Football12 months ago
Guardiola refuses to shake hands with Palace star as Man City boss makes his feelings clear at the final whistle
-
NBA1 year ago
9 Years After ESPN Punishment, Radio Host Reveals Miami Heat’s Role in LeBron James’ Billboard Controversy
-
Football12 months ago
Lionel Messi involved in furious argument with referee after Inter Miami game
-
Football11 months agoDone deal: Details of Paul Pogba’s transfer to Monaco
-
Football12 months ago
Man Utd wonderkid dubbed ‘Next Yamal’ could snub Spain for England
-
Football12 months ago
REVEALRD: Why do Man Utd have (Red) as their shirt sponsor vs West Ham
-
Football12 months ago
Amorim spotted with new plaster on his knuckles after half-time vs Bilbao
