Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshire has spoken of his regret at being pictured smoking on holiday in Las Vegas this summer.
The England international jetted off to the United States after the World Cup, where he was photographed in a jacuzzi with a cigarette in his mouth.
"The smoking? Of course I regret it," Wilshire is quoted as saying by The Independent. "I've been seen before doing it. I said then I made a mistake, and I made a mistake again.
"I mean, people make mistakes. I'm young, I'll learn from it. I realise the consequences it has and the effect on kids. I have kids myself, and I don't want them growing up to think their dad smokes and that it's OK for a footballer to smoke, because it's not. It's unacceptable, and I will accept the consequences and I will move on."
Wilshire is said to have had a crunch meeting with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger over the issue, though he would not reveal what he discussed with the Frenchman.
"I don't like to talk about to it too much, but this is a big season for me. I came back early to pre-season [training] to show people my commitment. I am fully committed to the club and to my job and I want to show everyone that."
Arsenal take on Manchester City for the FA Community Shield on August 10.
Phil Archbold
