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.
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“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.
“Fuming”? Really? He seemed mildly irritated at worst. I love the score, but u really have to stop tabloidising your headlines. I’m sick of seeing articles claiming in their headlines to have videos of something ‘amazing’, only for it to turn out to be a video of some random guy scoring a slightly above average goal.
It gets people clicking on articles I guess. I don’t know how their advertising revenues work but I’m sure the number of times that a page is viewed would be high on the list so it’s probably a key part of the business model to get people on to the article and if a dramatic though slightly misleading headline does the trick then I guess we’re going to see plenty of them.
Yeah you’re right, and I’m sure the journalists responsible are told they have to do this. Still though, it cheapens what is otherwise a very good sports site.
Maybe, but it looks pretty bad and with Ramsey, Ozil and Flamini really staking their claim in the midfield with Arteta back and Cazorla getting there, he’s in real danger of getting squeezed out! I think managers like to see a player putting in the effort to get back into a squad and improve, and this just looks bad in the respect, especially to Wenger!
Ok Ozil smokes too, but Ozil is also unbelievably good at what he does on a regular basis, he’s been a revelation since joining Arsenal and hasn’t spent the best part of two years injured, so I do feel it is maybe a little bit different no?
Wiltshire being injured a lot has nothing to do with him smoking. If Ozil has a bad stretch of games or gets injured are you going to blame his smoking……….no.
So what if the fella smokes. Its not a big deal. Loads of top sports people smoke. If Wiltshire is to not get his game its because he is simply not good enough. Not because he smokes.
I sense a mountain being created out of a molehill on this one…………
Wow! A sport personality smokes! Shock!…………Do some people think that if you play sport you cant smoke or drink or do whatever? As long as it does not affect his ability to train and play then this is not an issue at all……..Sure Sexton smokes and Im sure plenty of other top Irish sports men and women do……………people smoke…….big deal
Eh, no. That is very much not proven. Yes smoking is bad for your health but it is not proven it make you unable to play football. Name me one footballer who has not been able to train and perform at the top level due to his smoking? Loads of footballers smoke. Ozil smokes, as does Balotelli, Rooney, Berbatov, Ashley Cole…….and legends such as Cruyff, Maradona, Zidane and Socrates all smoked……….
I take it you smoke Tom. Smoking directly affects your respiratory system which in turn has an effect on your well being and ability to train at the highest level which results in performing at the highest level. It is PROVEN that smokers (regular) have higher rates of everyday illness (coughs, colds, run down etc) and considering these lads jobs they really should be mindful of this. Granted, the amount somebody smokes plays a big part in things too. Everybodys body is different and will react differently.
Yes I smoke on occasion. Not very much however. Sure its bad for you! ;o)
You stated that it affects the ability of footballers to train and play at the top level and I asked you to name one player at the top level that has been unable to train or perform because of their smoking. I have never heard of one. So its a genuine question.
I understand the impact regular heavy smoking can have on the long term health of people, but let us not forget that footballers careers are very short and in all likelihood the adverse affects of their smoking will not be felt by them until they are in their later stages of their career, past their peak or retired.
Young footballers who smoke during their prime should be able to, and have proven to be able to perform at the highest level of football and win World Cups, Chamipions Leagues and the likes.
Please remember Tom, I’m here expressing my opinion, not to answer your questions on demand.
OCCASIONAL smoking may not have direct effects as well exercised athletes are able to clear nicotine and carbon monoxide from their bodies more quickly than most. However it does nothing for their health and does lead to more everyday illnesses which does affect their careers. If I was a manager of an asset worth 10-100million I do not want that asset getting silly illnesses that could jeopardise regularity of playing because of smoking.
Will the odd cigarette make Jack Wilshere slower over 20 yards next week? Of course not, but you can can see my point too I hope.
Im hardly demanding you answer the question. Just curious if you know of one. I would assume you dont or you would have said………..
I do see your point, but I very much believe its up to Jack if he smokes or not an not his club. If they want a “no employee” smoking policy then they would want to put it in his contract. If not, it does not matter if he is worth £10 or 10 million, he can smoke if he wants. I would not like it if by boss told me I cant smoke because there may be a slight risk of it being a contributing factor to me getting sick and having to take time off. And BTW I have personally smoked since the age of 9 and not once has smoking resulted in me being sick (from what I can tell)…………drink on the other hand…………..but some how I think if we saw a picture of JW with a pint in his hand it would not make it as an article in the sports media……….even when we know alcohol results in more sick days in the general population than smoking……..
I’d be surprised if it’s not in his contract (but I don’t know to be honest)
It’s very hard to prove smoking affects direct performance as there is nothing to judge it off the same individual. Its like saying does eating junk food affect performance. If a player eats mcdonalds today it doesn’t mean he’ll have a bad game tomorrow, but it will catch up with him if it’s a habit.
Alcohol the same. A drink or two should be fine but over indulgence will have a negative affect.
If Wiltshire is smoking say 10+ a day I believe it would have an effect on his performance over the season. But hey he was only photographed having one…….And I agree with you, that if it was a pint people would be saying ‘relax, sure he’s only having a bit of fun’ etc
Drink has ruined numerous amounts of sportsmen and women. Maybe smoking is seen as a more habitual thing.
To be fair to you Tom I can see your point has more merit when things like junk food and booze are brought into it. Maybe moderation is key to everything. If Wiltshire smokes 2 cigarettes a weekend but looks after his diet and alcohol intake, it’s is probably better than him having junk food and pints everyday which the media would ignore. I’m kind of torn on this one now.
Wiltshire being injured a lot has nothing to do with him smoking. If Ozil has a bad stretch of games or gets injured are you going to blame his smoking……….no.
So what if the fella smokes. Its not a big deal. Loads of top sports people smoke. If Wiltshire is to not get his game its because he is simply not good enough. Not because he smokes.
I sense a mountain being created out of a molehill on this one…………
I don’t know who this ‘Wiltshire’ you speak of is, but if you’re talking about the Arsenal player Jack Wilshere, I agree a mountain probably is being made out of a molehill, and I’m all for football players having fun and living their lives, but just when a picture like this comes out six games into a season which is a big one for him personally as he comes back from injury, it’s not ideal. You are right probably too much is being made out of it, this picture really just surfaced at the worst possible time for him!
If he gets his head down, works hard in training and puts in the performances he can (if he gets his game) then no one associated with the club will give a toss if he smokes a few at the weekend or 60 a day………
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“Fuming”? Really? He seemed mildly irritated at worst. I love the score, but u really have to stop tabloidising your headlines. I’m sick of seeing articles claiming in their headlines to have videos of something ‘amazing’, only for it to turn out to be a video of some random guy scoring a slightly above average goal.
It gets people clicking on articles I guess. I don’t know how their advertising revenues work but I’m sure the number of times that a page is viewed would be high on the list so it’s probably a key part of the business model to get people on to the article and if a dramatic though slightly misleading headline does the trick then I guess we’re going to see plenty of them.
Yeah you’re right, and I’m sure the journalists responsible are told they have to do this. Still though, it cheapens what is otherwise a very good sports site.
I think ya may have missed the link between Wenger ‘fuming’ and Wilshere smoking here?
I don’t think that was the intention here, it was simply an attention grabbing headline.
I don’t think the bloke should be crucified for having a smoke! He’s only human and should be allowed to have some sort of social life.
He is paid €70k or so a week not to be doing things like this. He is supposed to be a professional player.
Maybe, but it looks pretty bad and with Ramsey, Ozil and Flamini really staking their claim in the midfield with Arteta back and Cazorla getting there, he’s in real danger of getting squeezed out! I think managers like to see a player putting in the effort to get back into a squad and improve, and this just looks bad in the respect, especially to Wenger!
Ozil also smokes. Is he in danger of loosing his spot? This is idiotic. If he is good enough he gets his game. Smoking is not be a factor………..
Ok Ozil smokes too, but Ozil is also unbelievably good at what he does on a regular basis, he’s been a revelation since joining Arsenal and hasn’t spent the best part of two years injured, so I do feel it is maybe a little bit different no?
Wiltshire being injured a lot has nothing to do with him smoking. If Ozil has a bad stretch of games or gets injured are you going to blame his smoking……….no.
So what if the fella smokes. Its not a big deal. Loads of top sports people smoke. If Wiltshire is to not get his game its because he is simply not good enough. Not because he smokes.
I sense a mountain being created out of a molehill on this one…………
Wow! A sport personality smokes! Shock!…………Do some people think that if you play sport you cant smoke or drink or do whatever? As long as it does not affect his ability to train and play then this is not an issue at all……..Sure Sexton smokes and Im sure plenty of other top Irish sports men and women do……………people smoke…….big deal
But it will affect you ability to train and play at the top level. They’re paid enough to make wise decisions
Eh, no. That is very much not proven. Yes smoking is bad for your health but it is not proven it make you unable to play football. Name me one footballer who has not been able to train and perform at the top level due to his smoking? Loads of footballers smoke. Ozil smokes, as does Balotelli, Rooney, Berbatov, Ashley Cole…….and legends such as Cruyff, Maradona, Zidane and Socrates all smoked……….
I take it you smoke Tom. Smoking directly affects your respiratory system which in turn has an effect on your well being and ability to train at the highest level which results in performing at the highest level. It is PROVEN that smokers (regular) have higher rates of everyday illness (coughs, colds, run down etc) and considering these lads jobs they really should be mindful of this. Granted, the amount somebody smokes plays a big part in things too. Everybodys body is different and will react differently.
Yes I smoke on occasion. Not very much however. Sure its bad for you! ;o)
You stated that it affects the ability of footballers to train and play at the top level and I asked you to name one player at the top level that has been unable to train or perform because of their smoking. I have never heard of one. So its a genuine question.
I understand the impact regular heavy smoking can have on the long term health of people, but let us not forget that footballers careers are very short and in all likelihood the adverse affects of their smoking will not be felt by them until they are in their later stages of their career, past their peak or retired.
Young footballers who smoke during their prime should be able to, and have proven to be able to perform at the highest level of football and win World Cups, Chamipions Leagues and the likes.
Please remember Tom, I’m here expressing my opinion, not to answer your questions on demand.
OCCASIONAL smoking may not have direct effects as well exercised athletes are able to clear nicotine and carbon monoxide from their bodies more quickly than most. However it does nothing for their health and does lead to more everyday illnesses which does affect their careers. If I was a manager of an asset worth 10-100million I do not want that asset getting silly illnesses that could jeopardise regularity of playing because of smoking.
Will the odd cigarette make Jack Wilshere slower over 20 yards next week? Of course not, but you can can see my point too I hope.
Im hardly demanding you answer the question. Just curious if you know of one. I would assume you dont or you would have said………..
I do see your point, but I very much believe its up to Jack if he smokes or not an not his club. If they want a “no employee” smoking policy then they would want to put it in his contract. If not, it does not matter if he is worth £10 or 10 million, he can smoke if he wants. I would not like it if by boss told me I cant smoke because there may be a slight risk of it being a contributing factor to me getting sick and having to take time off. And BTW I have personally smoked since the age of 9 and not once has smoking resulted in me being sick (from what I can tell)…………drink on the other hand…………..but some how I think if we saw a picture of JW with a pint in his hand it would not make it as an article in the sports media……….even when we know alcohol results in more sick days in the general population than smoking……..
I’d be surprised if it’s not in his contract (but I don’t know to be honest)
It’s very hard to prove smoking affects direct performance as there is nothing to judge it off the same individual. Its like saying does eating junk food affect performance. If a player eats mcdonalds today it doesn’t mean he’ll have a bad game tomorrow, but it will catch up with him if it’s a habit.
Alcohol the same. A drink or two should be fine but over indulgence will have a negative affect.
If Wiltshire is smoking say 10+ a day I believe it would have an effect on his performance over the season. But hey he was only photographed having one…….And I agree with you, that if it was a pint people would be saying ‘relax, sure he’s only having a bit of fun’ etc
Drink has ruined numerous amounts of sportsmen and women. Maybe smoking is seen as a more habitual thing.
Again it’s an individual thing. You’re lucky it hasn’t lead to you being sick but you must realise that’s not the norm.
To be fair to you Tom I can see your point has more merit when things like junk food and booze are brought into it. Maybe moderation is key to everything. If Wiltshire smokes 2 cigarettes a weekend but looks after his diet and alcohol intake, it’s is probably better than him having junk food and pints everyday which the media would ignore. I’m kind of torn on this one now.
Smoking and drinking on a regular basis surely effects your performance as an elite sportsman
What a shnake.
wilshere may be smoking but ramsey is on fire
And no BUTTS about it !
Wiltshire being injured a lot has nothing to do with him smoking. If Ozil has a bad stretch of games or gets injured are you going to blame his smoking……….no.
So what if the fella smokes. Its not a big deal. Loads of top sports people smoke. If Wiltshire is to not get his game its because he is simply not good enough. Not because he smokes.
I sense a mountain being created out of a molehill on this one…………
I don’t know who this ‘Wiltshire’ you speak of is, but if you’re talking about the Arsenal player Jack Wilshere, I agree a mountain probably is being made out of a molehill, and I’m all for football players having fun and living their lives, but just when a picture like this comes out six games into a season which is a big one for him personally as he comes back from injury, it’s not ideal. You are right probably too much is being made out of it, this picture really just surfaced at the worst possible time for him!
Thats auto-correct for you…….
If he gets his head down, works hard in training and puts in the performances he can (if he gets his game) then no one associated with the club will give a toss if he smokes a few at the weekend or 60 a day………
That I do agree with, just hopefully next time he lights up away from any cameras! Haha!
They’re all over-rated so they should Smoke away..
Jack wilsher smoking weed all night
Fags are great for the universe I heard someone was cured by weed better get out my pipe
He’s over- rated