Wilshere's representatives mainted the player was taking part in a "prank" where he agreed to hold the cigarette as party of a "dare", stressing he was "utterly committed to fitness and a healthy lifestyle." The England international himself responded this afternoon by posting a smoking photograph on his official Twitter feed of the France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane smoking, which he then followed it up with a post of "But for the record.... I don't smoke!" Wenger will have left the player in no doubt as to his future conduct. Wenger, whose side head to West Broom on Sunday looking to maintain their place at the top of the Barclays Premier League, will leave Wilshere in no doubt of his responsibilities on and off the pitch.
Speaking at Friday morning's pre-match media conference, the Arsenal manager said: "I disagree completely with that behaviour. I don't know really what happened, so I will need to have a chat with him about that. There are two things- first of all when you are a football player you are an example as well you don't do what damages your health. The fact is that you can damage your health at home, you can smoke at home and you can drink at home, and nobody sees it, but when you go out socially you also damage your reputation as an example. There have been many examples of top sportsmen who smoked, such as France international Michael Platini, who is now UEFA president, while Holland legend Johan Cruyff even regularly lit up on the sidelines when he was coach at Barcelona.
Wenger is expecting a stern test of his side's form this weekend, when Arsenal will be out to record a remarkable 11th straight win in all competitions against a side on the back of an impressive shock away win at Manchester United. The Arsenal midfielder responded on Friday afternoon by posting a photograph on his official Twitter feed of France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane smoking. He then followed it up with a post of "But for the record.... I don't smoke!.