Arsene Wenger says Jack Wilshere is not a smoker but must 'master' his own life after latest pictures

Jack Wilshere: At centre of another 'smoking' row

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told Jack Wilshere to 'master his life', but says the midfielder is not a smoker.

The 23-year-old England star, who has been photographed smoking in the past, was snapped with a shisha pipe last weekend – sparking a flood of criticism on social media.

When he is here, he has to follow the rules. This photo has been taken at half past 12 after the Super Bowl. I dont know what happened really. Arsene Wenger

Wilshere hit back via his own social media outlets by posting a video of his ongoing rehabilitation from ankle trouble along with the following statement: "Worry about your character not your reputation, because your character is who you are and your reputation is only what people who don't know you think about you!"

When asked about the situation, Gunners boss Wenger said: "I've spoken to him about that. He's not a smoker. He's of course sorry about what happened.

"When he is here, he has to follow the rules. This photo has been taken at half past 12 after the Super Bowl. I dont know what happened really. It's not of big interest.

"Away from the club, it is his responsibility to master his life. He had the day off the next day and went out to watch the Super Bowl.

"You have been 20 (years old), sometimes you need to ease the pressure. Today, everywhere you go people make photos, but one second of your life does not define who you are.

"You are always worried for your players that they get what they don't deserve, but I think I observe him well and he behaves in a very professional way.

"Every morning he is certainly one of the first in and every afternoon certainly the last out. He works very hard. Jack has gone through some bad spells in his career and always recovered.

"It would be wrong to give him that kind of reputation because he is a serious player and he works very hard. He is two weeks ahead of schedule in his (recovery) training, and you don't do that if you are not serious."

In January, Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was fined £20,000 and dropped from the team for smoking in the showers after a game but Wenger said of those claiming there is a 'smoking culture' at the club: "They are wrong."

Wilshere is expected to return to full training next week.