London, Jan 10 (IANS): Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he was a cigarette seller in his younger days.

The confession came in the wake of his team's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny being involved in a controversy after being caught smoking in the dressing room following a poor performance where he was blamed for letting in two goals in a 0-2 defeat against Southampton.

“I grew up in a pub you did not see from here to the window because of the smoke and I spent my youth selling cigarettes,” he was quoted as saying by the guardian.co.uk Saturday.

“But times have changed. Society has had an evolution. This is one of the positives today that people don’t smoke any more. You cannot smoke in public spaces, that means people who are not smokers don’t suffer.”

Szczesny was fined 20,000 pounds by the club for his breach of discipline. Teammate Jack Wilshere was also previously caught lighting up.

Szczesny has since apologised for his misconduct and Wenger accepted his apology saying that the goalkeeper will learn from his mistakes.

Wenger also said he was himself a smoker and has been pictured puffing during his coaching time at French club Monaco from 1987-1994 but has now kicked the habit.