LONDON, England, October 7 – Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has promised never to smoke again after being caught with a cigarette in public.
Wilshere was photographed smoking outside a London nightclub in the early hours of Thursday morning as he celebrated Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Napoli in the Champions League.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger was critical of Wilshere’s behaviour, but still included the England star in his starting line-up for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion.
And Wilshere struck it lucky with a deflected equalising goal in the second half to give Arsenal the point which took them back to the top of the Premier League table.
Wilshere’s strike was his first league goal in almost three years, but he conceded his decision to smoke was a mistake he won’t make again.
“Players make mistakes,” he told Arsenal Player on Monday. “I am not a smoker. I spoke with the boss and he asked me what happened.
“I explained to him and we sorted it out.
“He put me in the team and hopefully I repaid him.
“I am not a smoker so I think that will be my last (cigarette).”
Wenger had said ahead of the Hawthorns clash that he “disagreed completely” with Wilshere’s behaviour, but he was pleased with the way the 21-year-old responded to the negative publicity.
“He is an honest guy and when he is wrong he knows it,” Wenger said.
“I think today the players don’t get away with anything. We got away with it a bit more but they know that’s the rules of the modern game.
“They have to deal with it and I think he learns very quickly. What is more interesting for him and for Arsenal is that he shows the right response on the pitch.”
