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Wojciech Szczesny has criticised Arsene Wenger for his ‘overreaction’ to the goalkeeper smoking following a defeat.
Wenger, who departed Arsenal this summer allowed Szczesny to leave for Juventus in 2017.
After failing to establish himself in north London, the Poland international is now flourishing as Gianluigi Buffon’s successor.
The Pole was caught smoking in the changing rooms by Wenger following a 2-0 defeat to Southampton in 2015.
The 24-year-old left boss Arsene Wenger furious when he was caught lighting up after his nightmare performance.
But he believes his former manager overreacted to the incident which saw him find £20,000.
Szczesny says Arsene Wenger overreacted to him smoking
He told BBC Sport: “I feel like I am a regular guy.
“I used to smoke. I can’t do too much about it. I got fined by Arsene.
“I have massive respect for him but because it happened at the same time as I lost my spot in the starting line-up, it got massively overblown.
“I was 20 years old when I started playing in the Premier League.
“Maybe mentally I wasn’t quite prepared for it and that has earned me a reputation.
“But then you grow up, you mature. Now I am a husband and a father so life changes a little bit.”
Arsenal have since signed Bernd Leno. The Germany ‘keeper who kept a clean sheet in mid-week is expected to succeed Petr Cech when the veteran hangs up his gloves.
Arsenal signed shot-stopper Bernd Leno this summer
Szczesny also opened up on his Arsenal regrets.
“I wanted to be at Arsenal for my whole career,” he added.
“It is the club I love. It is the club I still support.
“I gave everything to play there.
“I regret not having done more there.
“I won two FA Cups and a Community Shield but I would have liked to win at least one Premier League title.
“But sometimes you have to think with your brain, not just your heart.”
