Arsene Wenger has rubbished reports that Arsenala s Jack Wilshere smoking picture is a cause for worry.
Wilshere was pictured holding a sheesha pipe in a picture on his girlfrienda s Instagram that was taken down immediately. However, Wenger has suggested that Wilshere is not a smoker and hea s been working doubly hard to get fit and play for the team.
a Ia ve spoken with him about that [smoking] and hea s not a smoker. He is of course sorry for what has happened. Ita s down to him to master his life. He had the day off the next day and he went out to watch the Superbowl.
a When hea s here he has to follow the rules that we dictate here, when hea s out of his job ita s his own responsibility to behave like he wants to behave. I dona t think therea s any more to add on that. I believe his photo has been taken at half past 12 when he watched the Superbowl. I dona t know any more of what happened and ita s not of a big interest.
a Youa re always worried for your players that they get what they dona t deserve,a added Wenger.
a I think I observe him well and he behaves in a very professional way, I must say. Every morning hea s certainly one of the first in and every afternoon certainly the last out. He works very hard, hea s gone through some bad spells in his career and always recovered. It would be wrong to give him that kind of reputation because hea s a serious player and he works very hard.
a You have been 23 as well. You need sometimes to relieve the pressure a bit. I think today ita s much more difficult because everywhere you go people make photos and a photo shows one second of your life. It doesna t define who you are.a
Wenger also talked about being more aware of technology wielding fans, citing his pictures from Brazil during the summer.
a I believe you have to take that with a distance as well. I remember when I was in Brazil, I have been seen with some photos by people I didna t even know were around me so you have to be very careful about that.
a I believe he works hard, he practices well, hea s ahead of schedule in his training, hea s two weeks ahead, and you dona t do that if you are not serious. As I told you, he is first in, last out, and he works very hard to get there. I am not worried at all about that.a