Arsenal are reportedly considering a shock move for former star Wojciech Szczesny, who once ruffled feathers under Arsene Wenger, in an attempt to avoid breaching Premier League homegrown player rules. The Gunners may be on the hunt for a new keeper if Aaron Ramsdale departs in the summer transfer window.

Premier League regulations require clubs to include at least eight homegrown players in their 25-man squads at the start of each season. Arsenal named 11 in their squad for the 2023-24 campaign, but several could be on their way out.

Ramsdale, an England international, has been linked with a move away after losing his spot as the first-choice goalkeeper. There's also doubt over whether David Raya - another homegrown talent - will have his loan deal made permanent.

Interest in Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson is expected to heat up in the coming months. James Hillson, the 23-year-old keeper, could also be on his way out, potentially leaving Arsenal with just five homegrown stars over the age of 21.

The Evening Standard reports that the north London side plans to address this issue by bringing in a homegrown keeper. Szczesny, a product of the club's academy who played 181 senior games, is reportedly being considered alongside Brighton's Jason Steele, reports the Express.

The Poland international has been with Juventus since leaving Arsenal in 2017, but his time at the Gunners ended in controversy. Szczesny's stint at Arsenal came to an abrupt halt following a smoking incident after a 2-0 loss to Southampton in 2015.

Arsene Wenger was incensed by Szczesny's actions, leading to a hefty £20,000 fine and the goalkeeper being sidelined. The now 34-year-old never played for Arsenal again, eventually moving to Roma on loan and then signing with Juve.

Reflecting on the episode during a chat with the Arsenal Nation Podcast in 2020, Szczesny shared: "Back at that time I was smoking regularly, and the boss knew it very well. He just didn't want anybody smoking in the dressing rooms, and I knew that also."

"Because of the emotion of the game, I had a cigarette after the game when the team was still in. I went in the corner of the showers, so it was at the other end of the dressing room, and nobody could see me, and I lit one up."

"Somebody saw me, it wasn't even the boss himself, and just reported it back to the boss. I saw him a couple of days later - he asked me if that was true and I said, 'yes'. He fined me, and that was the end of it."

"He then said, 'Look, you're going to be out of the team for a little bit', but there were no major fallouts or confrontations. I took it very professionally. I expected to return to the lineup after a few weeks, but David Ospina seized his chance between the sticks and his solid performances kept me out."

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