Arsenal FC: Wenger Defends Wilshere After Latter Was Caught On Cam With A Shisha Pipe

Arsene Wenger defended Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere after a photo of the latter circulated on the internet with a shisha pipe.

The 23-year-old England international had already been caught on cam in the past for smoking a cigarette and had been criticised by netizens for failing to be a model athlete.

"I've spoken to him about that. He's not a smoker. He's of course sorry about what happened,” said Wenger.

"When he is here, he has to follow the rules. This photo has been taken at half past 12 after the Super Bowl. I dont know what happened really. It's not of big interest.”

"Away from the club, it is his responsibility to master his life. He had the day off the next day and went out to watch the Super Bowl.”

"You have been 20 (years old), sometimes you need to ease the pressure. Today, everywhere you go people make photos, but one second of your life does not define who you are.”

The French mentor emphasised that Wilshere’s behaviour as professional takes precedence over some isolated incidents and even pointed out that the Stevenage native is one of the hardest workers in his squad.

"You are always worried for your players that they get what they don't deserve, but I think I observe him well and he behaves in a very professional way,” he continued.

"Every morning he is certainly one of the first in and every afternoon certainly the last out. He works very hard. Jack has gone through some bad spells in his career and always recovered.”

"It would be wrong to give him that kind of reputation because he is a serious player and he works very hard. He is two weeks ahead of schedule in his (recovery) training, and you don't do that if you are not serious."

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