Arsenal take dim view of Jack Wilshere shisha pipe photo

Arsenal are aware of photos of Jack Wilshere posted on social media holding a shisha pipe at a nightclub and take a dim view on any players smoking, according to Press Association.

Wilshere, 23, is currently recovering from ankle surgery after an injury in the defeat by Manchester United on November 22, and is expected to be in contention for a first-team return by the end of the month.

A picture of Wilshere, reported to be from a night out with friends last week, holding a shisha pipe, was uploaded to Instagram before being removed and replaced with an edited version where only the face of the Arsenal player is visible in the background.

However, the original snap was then subsequently reposted on Twitter, sparking much debate across social media as to the player's behaviour.

Wilshere risks new row over smoking http://t.co/6KdfxwN42r pic.twitter.com/SUSA3IYJt0

- MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) February 4, 2015

PA reports that Arsenal are aware of the photos and are looking into the incident, with the club taking a dim view on players smoking, as backed up by comments from manager Arsene Wenger.

Last month, Wenger 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. The Poland international has not started a Premier League match since, with David Ospina taking the No. 1 spot in his stead.

Wilshere has been criticised in the past for two high-profile incidents of being pictured with a cigarette, first outside a London nightclub in November 2013 and again last summer when at a pool party while on holiday in Las Vegas with England goalkeeper Joe Hart following the World Cup.

Wilshere appeared to hit back at his critics by posting photos of his training session on Thursday:

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! Great session today with @jamie_velocity

A video posted by Jack Wilshere (@jackwilshere) on

Feb 5, 2015 at 11:15am PST

Speaking in July, Wilshere said: "The smoking? Of course I regret it. I have been seen before doing it. I said then I made a mistake and I have made a mistake again. People make mistakes.

"I am young and I will learn from it. I realise the consequences it has and the effect on kids growing up.

"I have kids myself and I don't want them growing up to think their dad smokes and it is okay for a footballer to smoke, because it's not.

"It is unacceptable and I will accept the consequences and I will move on."

In April 2012, Arsenal's Morocco forward Marouane Chamakh was pictured holding a shisha pipe just hours after the defeat at QPR.

Wenger believes modern-day players must take responsibility for keeping themselves in prime condition.

"Players here are judged on their performances. Ideally, the best way to have a high level of performance as possible is to follow the rules that allow you to perform," said 65-year-old Wenger, who himself occasionally smoked when a younger man.