'I have Tottenham fans in my family!' - Arsenal's Jack Wilshere insists anti-Spurs chants were 'just a bit of fun'

Jack Wilshere insists his goading of Tottenham supporters is “just a bit of fun” and claimed the FA’s misconduct charge is harsh punishment.

The 23-year-old has until 6pm on Wednesday to decide whether he will appeal after being sanctioned for instigating a series of expletive-laden chants about Spurs on a microphone during Arsenal’s FA Cup victory parade last month.

Wilshere was one of several Arsenal players pictured leaving a nightclub in early hours of the morning after their Wembley win over Aston Villa and his charge comes 12 months after receiving a written warning by the FA for a similar offence following their 2014 success against Hull.

England manager Roy Hodgson urged Wilshere to show more self-control in future but the midfielder believes he earned the right to celebrate after a long season ended with silverware.

Asked if he considered it a lesson learned, he said: “Yes, that’s one way of looking at it, but at the same time people have been giving me a lot of stick for having some fun and enjoying myself at the end of [a successful season].

“We’ve worked hard all year as a group of players and we’ve won a trophy. That’s the best feeling in the world. No matter what job you do, if at the end of the year you get a promotion and a bonus, you’re going to go out and celebrate. I think that side of things [going out partying] was a bit harsh, but with the [England players] code [of conduct]…

“I’ve always had that bond with the Arsenal fans since I was young because I came through the club. I grew up at Arsenal and I love the fans, but believe it or not, I’ve actually got family who are Tottenham fans so it’s nothing personal against them, it was just a bit of fun.”

Wilshere revealed he was unaware of the charge until an FA press officer informed him upon joining up with the squad last Wednesday. As a matter of protocol, the FA always inform the respective club and agent by email when charging any player but Wilshere insisted: “I found out when I got here. One of the press officers told me. It was a surprise. I didn’t know I’d been charged so I was like, ‘what?’

“It hasn’t really been mentioned, it was the day we arrived. A few of the lads gave me a bit of banter about it. The Tottenham players? No, they don’t talk to me!”

Wilshere’s relationship with the Tottenham players is cordial but he may have tested that understanding after inadvertently forcing Ryan Mason’s withdrawal from the squad.

Mason was sent home with a knee injury after a tackle by Wilshere in a training session last week, with Villa midfielder Tom Cleverley called up to replace him.

Wilshere added: “It was a collision. I had the ball and slipped, our knees came together and unfortunately he came off worse.”