Arsene Wenger Defends Arsenal Star

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has brushed off reports from Andrey Arshavin's homeland that the Russian forward 'prepares' for international duty by drinking and smoking heavily with his team-mates. The claims have been made by a Russian television programme, Channel One's 'Men & Law'.A waiter from the Marriott Grand Hotel in Moscow claims that Russian national coach Guus Hiddink could not control his team's debauched behaviour. "Can you imagine for two or three days to smoke and to drink, to have fun with girls, and then come to play football?" the waiter told the programme, according to The Daily Mirror. "Hiddink would sit in the lobby until 2am waiting for them not to go out or misbehave. But it was after that the party would begin." But Wenger claimed that Arshavin is a model professional and he finds it difficult to believe the claims. "He�s a serious player, I don�t doubt his commitment at all and I don�t believe a word of it," he asserted. "When I see him, how he prepares for games, he�s an example to other players in his approach."The Russian FA, meanwhile, confirmed that it is seeking legal redress for the claims made in the television programme. "We have sent official letters to Channel One�s management and to the Marriott Grand, seeking clarification as to the truth of the claims," a spokesman said. "After receiving an appropriate response we will determine our position regarding the dignity of the players. We will also meet with the team coaches for them to express their opinion about the incident."