Arsene Wenger will fine Alex Iwobi if claims the forward was partying less than 48 hours before Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat by Nottingham Forest are proved true.
The 21-year-old has come under fire from fans after a video emerged of him dancing and screaming at a flat in Soho, allegedly filmed in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Iwobi started in the Gunners’ shock 4-2 loss at the City Ground on Sunday and Wenger is ready to take action despite defending his player amid accusations of drug-taking at the late-night party.
‘If that is true he will be fined,’ Wenger said during his press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.
‘It’s unacceptable. It’s impossible to go out 48 hours before a game. I will have to see him and see if that is right or not.’
Although there is no suggestion Iwobi was taking drugs, tenants in neighbouring flats reported laughing gas canisters and a strong smell of cannabis coming from the party apartment, according to The Sun, which also claims that the video was taken at 2.37am on Saturday.
‘It was 48 hours before the game,’ Wenger added. ‘The night before the game we were in a hotel. I will speak to him.
‘You have to be cautious with the news coming out – when you read what has been reported it is like he has taken drugs but he’s not involved in that.
‘If he was at a birthday party, how long has he stayed? That is very important. After that I will decide what happens.”