• Premier League

I am not a smoker - Wilshere

ESPN staff
October 7, 2013
Jack Wilshere scored Arsenal's equalisder against West Brom © PA Photos
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Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has admitted he made a "mistake" after being photographed smoking a cigarette outside a London nightclub.

Wilshere, 21, was photographed with the cigarette in the early hours of Thursday morning following Arsenal's2-0 win over Napoli.

The England international's behaviour drew some criticism, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger publicly criticising his player.

"I disagree completely with that behaviour," Wenger said last week. "I don't know what has happened and I will have to have a chat with him about that."

But Wilshere, who scored Arsenal's equaliser during Sunday's 1-1 draw at West Brom, says he knows he was in the wrong.

"Players make mistakes," Wilshere told Arsenal's official website. "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]."

England manager Roy Hodgson also got involved prior to Wilshere's admission, but said the issue was Arsenal's responsibility.

He said: "I trust Arsene to deal with that situation."

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