Jack Wilshere risks new row over smoking as Arsenal midfielder appears to be holding a shisha pipe during night out with friends in London nightclub 

  • Instagram picture emerges of Jack Wilshere appearing to hold shisha pipe
  • Image has since been deleted, but a cropped version remains online
  • Wilshere was out with friends at a London nightclub
  • 23-year-old is recovering from an ankle ligament injury he suffered against Manchester United in November
  • England international has been spotted smoking in the past 

Jack Wilshere is at the centre of another smoking controversy after a picture emerged of the Arsenal midfielder holding a shisha pipe at a nightclub.

The England star, 23, is recovering from ankle surgery after sustaining an injury during a defeat by Manchester United in November and is expected to make a first-team return by the end of the month.

This picture of Wilshere posing with friends and holding the pipe, reportedly taken at a London nightclub last week, was uploaded to Instagram on Tuesday before being removed, but then subsequently reposted on Twitter, leading to criticism from fans on the social media network.

Jack Wilshere (right) appeared to be holding a shisha pipe during a night out in London

Jack Wilshere (right) appeared to be holding a shisha pipe during a night out in London

The same picture still remains on Instagram, but Wilshere is only just visible in the top right corner

The same picture still remains on Instagram, but Wilshere is only just visible in the top right corner

We have some serious rivalry going on #SuperBowl2015 #Seahawks 🏈💙💚💙💚

A photo posted by Alex Coe (@alex_coe) on

The diminutive midfielder was back in light training for Arsenal last week 

The diminutive midfielder was back in light training for Arsenal last week 

WHAT IS A SHISHA PIPE? 

Shisha or hooka pipes are a way of smoking tobacco, usually mixed with fruit or molasses sugar, through a bowl and hose or tube 

It is the third time Wilshere has been caught up in a furore involving smoking.

He was pictured holding a cigarette outside a London nightclub in 2013 and again at a pool party in Las Vegas last summer after the World Cup finals in Brazil.

After that incident Wilshere admitted he regretted his actions, saying: ‘I have been seen before doing it. I said then I made a mistake and I have made a mistake again. I am young and I will learn from it.’

Wilshere suffered ankle ligament damage during Manchester United's 2-1 win against Arsenal in November

Wilshere suffered ankle ligament damage during Manchester United's 2-1 win against Arsenal in November

The 23-year-old has had to face another lengthy spell on the sidelines after his latest setback 

The 23-year-old has had to face another lengthy spell on the sidelines after his latest setback 

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger (left) spoke out against footballers smoking following revelations goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny lit up in the showers after the 2-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year's Day

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger (left) spoke out against footballers smoking following revelations goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny lit up in the showers after the 2-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year's Day

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