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Jack Wilshere says he was wrong to make an abusive gesture towards Manchester City supporters during Arsenal’s 6-3 defeat at Manchester City, but revealed that it was a reaction to insults aimed at his children.
Wilshere, who turns 22 on New Year's Day, was given a two-game ban by the FA, causing him to miss the 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Monday night, as well as the trip to West Ham on Boxing Day and took to Twitter today to defend his actions during the thrashing at the Etihad Stadium on 14 December.
Wilshere has two children with girlfriend Lauren Neal, two-year-old Archie and three-month Delilah.
"Gutted not to be Involved last night! Shouldn't of reacted the way I did but I know all you dads out there love your kids the way I do...." Wilshere tweeted.
"Suppose I will just have to take the abuse about my kids in future......anyway, one more game to go! Can't wait to be back!"
The midfielder could return against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday.
It is not the first time in recent months that the England international has had the final say on Twitter, however, with Wilshere also using the social networking site to defend himself on other incidents this year, including when he was caught smoking, and also his comments on whether Belgian-born winger Adnan Januzaj should play for England.
Show all 23 1 /23Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates <b>ARSENAL...</b><br/><br/> WOJCIECH SZCZESNY: Did not have a save to make until 33rd minute. Only beaten once, but was saved by the bar. 6. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates BACARY SAGNA: Had a quiet game. Poor crossing when in advanced position. 6. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates PER MERTESACKER: Lucky to get away with an early barge on Fernando Torres, but kept Spaniard quiet throughout. 7. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates THOMAS VERMAELEN: Calm and effective in neutering Chelsea threat. 7. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates KIERAN GIBBS: Another impressive performance. Energetic. Not afraid to get forward and nearly created late goal for Giroud. 7. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates MIKEL ARTETA: On end of two nasty challenges. Had little impact on game amid flood of Chelsea players in the middle of the park. 5. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates AARON RAMSEY: Set up Olivier Giroud for what should have been a goal. Quiet game otherwise. 6. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates TOMAS ROSICKY: Nasty sliding challenge on Cesar Azpilicueta. Harshly booked for tackle on Ivanovic when the defender actually dived. 5. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates MESUT OZIL: Went AWOL again in another big game. Lost cool and got into an ill-advised slanging match with Ivanovic. 5. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates THEO WALCOTT: Offered little on the attack and numerous corners failed to meet the head of a player in red. Booked. 5. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates OLIVIER GIROUD: Another of Arsenal's players who went missing. Skewed a shot wide late on when he should have hit the target. 5.
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates <b>CHELSEA...</b><br/><br/> PETR CECH: Barely had a thing to do all match. 6. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Lost temper and clashed with Ozil. Dived to get Tomas Rosicky booked. 5. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates GARY CAHILL: Stopped Olivier Giroud with two clinical interceptions. 8. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates JOHN TERRY: Combined well with Cahill to keep Arsenal's pacy attack quiet. Combined with Cech to see a close range Giroud shot over the bar too. 7. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates CESAR AZPILICUETA: Lucky to avoid booking for kick on Ramsey. Coped well with Walcott's pace though and cleared off line in injury time. 7. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates RAMIRES: Lucky to just get a booking for a horror tackle on Arteta. 5. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates JOHN OBI MIKEL: Another one who put in a dreadful tackle on Arteta. Somehow escaped punishment. 4. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates FRANK LAMPARD: Hit bar with a first half strike. Otherwise ineffective. 6. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates EDEN HAZARD: So-so by the Belgian's high standards. Substituted in the second half. 5. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates WILLIAN: Got away with a trip on Walcott in his own area. Saw shot saved when perhaps should have crossed for others. 5. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates FERNANDO TORRES: Looked sharp in first 10 minutes but faded thereafter. Was taken off for David Luiz late on. 5. GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Player ratings from the Premier League match at the Emirates <b>CHELSEA substitutes...</b><br/> <br/> ANDRE SCHURRLE (on for Hazard, 72mins): Little impact. 5. <br/> OSCAR (on for Willian, 77mins): Offered little to change the game. 5. <br/> DAVID LUIZ (on for Torres, 86mins): Brought on to help slow the game down. 5. GETTY IMAGES
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