Jack Wilshere smoking: Arsene Wenger set to give Wilshere final warning after latest smoking incident but midfielder will not face any action from Arsenal manager
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsene Wenger is not expected to sanction England midfielder Jack Wilshere after he was spotted smoking for the second time in nine months, but the Arsenal manager is likely to give him a final warning following his controversial trip to Las Vegas.
Wilshere was photographed in a swimming pool drinking and smoking, with England team-mates Joe Hart and James Milner also in attendance, and the incident follows Wilshere being pictured smoking at a nightclub nine months ago that caused a stir among Arsenal and England fans alike.
However, the latest controversy comes after England’s dismal World Cup campaign that saw the Three Lions record their worst ever performance in the tournament’s history, with a measly one point from their three group games sending them home early and leading to stinging criticism from disappointed England supporters.
Wenger is believed to be fuming not just with Wilshere’s failure to stop smoking and the effects it could have on his fitness, but also his high-profile antics on the trip that has once again tarnished both his and the club’s image.
When Wilshere was spotted smoking in October, he admitted that he made a mistake. Yet the 22-year-old also claimed that he would not smoke again – something that he clearly hasn’t stuck to – and has now infuriated his manager who is firmly against his players smoking.
“I made a mistake, players make mistakes, I'm not a smoker,” Wilshere said in October. “I spoke with the boss and he asked me what happened, I explained to him, we sorted it out and he put me in the team and hopefully I repaid him.
When quizzed about whether it was a problem that could repeat itself, Wilshere answered: “No it's not. I'm not a smoker, so I think that will be my last one.”
Former Arsenal manager George Graham criticised Wilshere for his actions, and he believes Wenger needs to have a serious word with him ahead of the new season.
Speaking on Tuesday, Graham said: “Arsene Wenger has to have a word with Jack and tell him the responsibility he has now got. His career has not gone anywhere in the last 18 months.”
Wilshere faces a potentially career-defining season, with the possible arrival of Sami Khedira set to threaten his place in the starting line-up. With Aaron Ramsey starring as the Gunners most influential player last season, Khedira’s arrival would likely see him pair up with the Welshamn in the centre of midfield, and with the likes of Mesut Özil, Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain available in the attacking midfield trio that Wenger prefers, Wilshere would face a huge battle to maintain his regular starting spot.
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