Arsenal Midfielder Jack Wilshere Warned Over Smoking Controversy

Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere has been advised to stop smoking by former Gunner Ashley Cole.

Wilshere was photographed smoking and drinking while on holiday in Las Vegas at the start of the week, the second time the 22 year old has been caught in the past 12 months having been pictured holding a cigarette outside a London nightclub in October.

Manager Arsene Wenger publically condemned the offence while Wilshere apologised and protested that he was not a regular smoker.

"I made a mistake, players make mistakes, I'm not a smoker," pledged the Arsenal midfielder. "I spoke with the boss and he asked me what happened, I explained to him, we sorted it out and he put me in the team and hopefully I repaid him.

"No it's not. I'm not a smoker, so I think that will be my last one."

However this latest incident, which comes in the wake of England's premature exit from the World Cup at the group stage, has again raised questions over Wilshere's fitness and Cole has warned the Arsenal man to cut the habit.

"Everyone talks about footballers having to be professional and be an example, but we don't know if the smoking affects him," he said.

"Of course I am not condoning smoking. We don't want smoking. I have smoked before, I have stopped.

"It didn't really affect me the way I run but of course it's not a good thing to do in public. But he is a young lad and he will learn.

"I don't think it is up to me to tell anyone what to do," he added. "I am not the prefect guy. I am not going to give him advice on how to behave. It is down to him to sort out."

Wilshere was warned by Arsenal boss Wenger last year after being initially pictured smoking and is expected to again approach the youngster over this latest indiscretion.

"I disagree completely with that behaviour," Wenger said last year. "There are two things: first of all when you are a football player you are an example, and as well you don't do what damages your health.

"The fact [is] you can damage your health at home, you can smoke at home and you can drink at home, and nobody sees it, but when you go out socially you as well damage your reputation as an example."