Wilshere apologises for victory parade chant

Jack Wilshere has apologised if his anti-Tottenham chants during the FA Cup victory parade yesterday caused any offence.

The 23-year-old, who came through the Arsenal youth ranks, took to the microphone to mock the club’s fierce rivals as the players celebrated on a stage outside the Emirates Stadium.

In similar scenes to 12 months ago, Wilshere then proceeded to lead the massed ranks of Arsenal supporters in a chant which included expletives against Spurs, who again finished below their north London neighbours in the Barclays Premier League table.

The England international earlier today received backing from the Arsenal Independent Supporters’ Association, but also drew plenty of criticism, including from former Gunners’ striker Niall Quinn who said Wilshere had “overstepped the mark”.

While falling short of saying sorry for making the remarks, Wilshere used a Twitter post to apologise to anyone who had been upset by them.

“Sharing back2back Cup wins with so many amazing Gooners is a dream come true. Apologies if I upset or offended any of u with my celebrations,” Wilshere wrote.

Sharing back2back Cup wins with so many amazing Gooners is a dream come true. Apologies if I upset or offended any of u with my celebrations

— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) June 1, 2015

Wilshere is set to join up with England later this week for the June internationals, and there is no suggestion at the moment that the Football Association are looking into the matter.

Arsenal, though, issued a swift apology during their in-house media broadcast of the event and are understood to have spoken to Wilshere about his conduct.