French international backs midfield colleague to recover from bad press.
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Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has backed his club colleague Jack Wilshire to bounce back from the negative press he has received after being photographed smoking a cigarette last week, the Metro reports.
The 21-year-old was roundly criticised for his behaviour but hit back at the negative press by bagging Arsenal’s equaliser in the side’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
Now Flamini has moved to play down any controversy, and insists Wilshere is simply a young talent finding his way in the game.
“I think Jack was focused,” said Flamini. “Things like that [the smoking pictures] can happen. He is still young. He has to keep working hard and he is learning. I don’t think it was a problem. The manager has talked to him but it is behind him now.
“Jack is a very talented player. He has a lot of quality. He plays in a great team and has everything to be successful. I think he is proving to everyone he is doing well. We are fighting for the title and he is playing every game.
“He is doing very well. Of course he will improve game after game – he is still very young. He has a lot to learn but already what he is doing is incredible. I think everyone at the club is very happy with him, the fans are very happy and I think everyone should be happy with what he is doing.”