Arsenal Playmaker Blames Imperfection for Smoking Controversy

Arsenal playmaker Jack Wilshere has been caught, yet again, puffing a cigarette. This time the photo circulated after England's shock group stage exit at the World Cup, which made matters worse.

The 22-year-old England international was spotted in October casually smoking with acquaintances, and got off the hook by making an excuse that it was just an isolated incident.

Wilshere, this time, likes to blame his off-pitch antics on human imperfection.

"I said then I made a mistake and I have made a mistake again. People make mistakes," said the Stevenage native.

"I'm young and I'll learn from it. I realise the consequences it has and the effect on kids growing up. I have kids myself and I don't want them growing up to think their dad smokes and it's OK for a footballer to smoke because it's not."

And his way of making it up to his club and the fans is, well, to get back to training early.

"I came back early to pre-season to show people my commitment. I am fully committed to the club and to my job and I want to show everyone that," he added.

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