Wilshere expresses regret over ‘unacceptable’ smoking mistake

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has expressed regret after being photographed smoking while on holiday in Las Vegas, admitting it was "unacceptable".

Wilshere was criticised last year when a photo of him smoking a cigarette outside a nightclub emerged and he pledged it would never happen again.

However, the most recent image shows him once more smoking alongside friends in a swimming pool, and Wilshere admits he regrets his latest indiscretion.

“The smoking? Of course I regret it,” he said.

“I’ve been seen before doing it. I said then I made a mistake and I have made a mistake again. People make mistakes.

“I’m young and I’ll learn from it. I realise the consequences it has and the effect on kids growing up.

“I have kids myself and I don’t want them growing up to think their dad smokes and it’s okay for a footballer to smoke because it’s not. It’s unacceptable and I will accept the consequences and I will move on.”

Wilshere, speaking shortly before Arsenal’s 1-0 friendly defeat to the New York Red Bulls, revealed he is driven to succeed by his critics.

He added: “People who don’t know me but want to have an opinion. Now it is down to me.

“This is a big season for me.”