Arsene Wenger: 'I used to smoke on the bench to avoid stress'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he used to smoke cigarettes on the bench to avoid stress, and sold them during his youth.

The Gunners boss has reportedly introduced a smoking ban, after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was allegedly caught with a cigarette in the changing rooms after their 2-0 defeat to Southampton on New Year's Day.

It is not the first time that the 65-year-old has been questioned about his the smoking habits of his players, with Jack Wilshere having twice been snapped smoking.

A video has also surfaced of the Arsenal boss smoking while sitting on the Monaco bench during his time there, but the Frenchman has defended his actions, claiming that they were big part of his life at the time.

"I grew up in a pub. You could not see to the window because of the smoke and I spent my youth selling cigarettes," Wenger told reporters.

"I have grown up in a period when I had to accomplish military service. At the end of the month, we got paid by cigarettes. It incited us to smoke. When I was a young boy I grew up surrounded by smokers and I smoked myself when I became a young coach.

"The other day, on French television, they showed me on the bench smoking a cigarette. I didn't even think it was me. At that time, I remember Marcelo Lippi at Juventus smoked a cigar during the whole game in every game."

Wenger also confirmed that he smoked due to stress and believes that some professionals still smoke, but will reportedly implement punishments if his players are caught smoking while on club duty.