Wenger issues Wilshere public warning
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has issued a public rebuke to Jack Wilshere after the midfielder was pictured smoking outside a London nightclub.
Wilshere was photographed with a cigarette while celebrating following his side's 2-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Napoli in midweek, and Wenger has warned the England international about his conduct.
"I disagree completely with that behaviour - I need to have a chat with him about that," the Frenchman said ahead of Arsenal's trip to West Brom on Sunday.
"When you are a footballer you are an example and you do not do things to damage your health… it can damage your reputation as well.
"Things are different now. I've travelled on the coach as a player in France when you could not see each other because of smoke. But times have changed... football players are role models now."
Wenger, whose side lead the Premier League after six games, refused to disclose what he will say to Wilshere and whether disciplinary action will be forthcoming, but he went on to insist that the 21-year-old remains a key member of his squad.
"He is a very important player here. My plans for the future involve Jack," he added.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
‘Even though it was late in the game, the Arsenal fans started singing my name. It felt like the moment I announced myself as a professional footballer’: Ex-Gunners star recalls scoring first senior goal as a teenager at Highbury
'I started to drive myself crazy': Former Manchester United midfielder explains why it all went wrong for him under Erik ten Hag