Former Arsenal star Perry Groves defends players over hippy crack storm – Id rather that than a 15-pint bender

Former Arsenal star Perry Groves defends players over hippy crack storm – Id rather that than a 15-pint bender
Former Arsenal star Perry Groves has defended the Gunners players involved in the latest hippy crack scandal to hit the front pages.A story published in The Sun on Friday shows a number of first-team aces, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Matteo Guendouzi, apparently inhalingnitrous oxide from balloons in a London club.It is claimed the images date back to August, before the start of the new Premier League season.4Its not the first time footballers have been captured taking the substance known as laughing gas or hippy crack.Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling was criticised after he was pictured using the substance in 2015, while Jack Grealish was caught up in a laughing gas storm in 2016 and Kyle Walker apologised after he was pictured taking it in 2013.The exposcomes amid Arsenals brilliant run of 20 games unbeaten in all competitions, and is sure to spark outrage.But former Arsenal winger Groves doesnt think its a big deal, telling talkSPORT the incident seems quite innocent compared to the 15-pint binges players used to go on during his playing days.Id rather they take a little bit of gas out of a balloon than having 15 pint benders like we used to, he said on Thursday nights Sports Bar.4

Groves won two First Division titles and the League Cup in seven years with Arsenal

Also, this is isnt in public, this is a private room theyve hired, so their privacy has been breached if someone from that establishment sold the CCTV footage.The thing that amazes me is that apparently Ozil was involved. You can understand it some of the youngster players were involved, but the older ones?But, then again, when we were 29 and 30 we were with the youngster players and our Tuesday Club galvanised team spirit there was no hierarchy, there were no cliques. It wasnt the older players going out and the young players going out separately, we tried to bring them into the fold.Its no surprise its come out now because Arsenal has gone 20 games unbeaten and everything is going great.But it doesnt outrage me at all to be fair. To me it seems like its quite innocent.4

The story will not have gone down well with manager Unai Emery

The news is unlikely to sit well with manager Unai Emery, but Groves has urged the manager to use the situation to his advantage.Emerys strict managerial style has rejuvenated Arsenal this season following a number of disappointing campaigns under Arsene Wenger.The Spaniard is said to have gone to a number of lengths to ensure his players are in the best shape this season, including banning fruit juices as they contain too much sugar.News that his players went on a legal high binge before the start of the season is not likely to go down well with the boss, but Groves insists the incident can help galvanise the team.4

Aubameyang – the Premier League’s top goalscorers – was among the Arsenal players pictured taking the substance

The two-time First Division title winner added: Unai Emery would have been aware of this before it was printed, will read them the riot act and say theyre tainted the clubs image, what are you doing etc, and he might say hes particularly disappointed with the senior players.He might even fine them a couple of weeks wages, but if I was him I wouldnt because I think this can galvanise you even more.He can bring everyone together and say, this is us against the world here, theyre out to get us and they close ranks.Listen back to Perry Groves on The Sports Bar IN FULL above

---

The boxing world is still talking about the bizarre way Amir Khan fell to Terence Crawford at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday. Khan would retire in the fifth round a
talkSPORT Archives - SportsAlert

---

Matthew Thomas Jarvis (born 22 May 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger and most recently played for Norwich City.. After an unsuccessful spell as a youth-team player for Millwall, Jarvis began his professional career with Gillingham, making his Football League debut for the Kent-based club at the age of 17.

---

Rangers are set to lock horns with rivals Celtic as the Glasgow sides battle it out for the signatures of hot prospects Andrew Gutman and Jack Whatmough. Andrew Gutman spent a week on trial at Ibrox last month, along with fellow American Matt Polster.
Transfer news and gossip: Manchester United star to sign new

---

Henry's goals won the Premier League twice for Arsenal, including the 30 league goals he scored as Arsenal's famous Invincibles went the entire 2003/4 season unbeaten. Henry was twice awarded the PFA Players Player of the Year award, and also won the Football Writers Player of the Year award on two occasions.
Frank Lampard - Wikipedia

---

Marcos Alonso calls on Chelsea team-mates to be 'motivated' by Arsenal defeat in hunt for a top four finish. Arsenal reduced the gap to Chelsea in fourth to three points on Saturday
Chelsea need long-term fix in this position: They can improve

---

Europa League final: Arsenal 'bitterly disappointed' at UEFA

---

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino happy with squad and doesn

---

~ Ederson: Manchester City goalkeeper forced to deny he supports Tommy Robinson after being pictured with the far-right extremist ~ Kenya Latest
Ederson: Manchester City goalkeeper forced to deny he

---

David Wagner's Schalke side will take on Jürgen Klopp's European champions Liverpool in a pre-season friendly at Anfield in August. Schalke and new head coach David Wagner are set to play a pre-season friendly against Jürgen Klopp's newly crowned European champions Liverpool.
Overview of all pre-season friendly matches | bvb.de

---

Manchester City will look to lure Chelsea winger Eden Hazard to the Etihad Stadium this summer, according to reports. The Belgium international has had another good season for the Blues with 16 goals and seven assists in 46 appearances in all competitions. The Blues had a poor season considering they…
Hazard bids farewell to 'special' Chelsea in classy goodbye

---

Gianfranco Zola tells Chelsea fans what the coaching staff really think about Callum Hudson-Odoi; However, a corner wasn't given strangely and instead the chance went by. Then there was the strange moment of the penalty incident when Cesar Azpilicueta was tripped up by former Blues youngster Sam Hutchinson.
Zola reveals how Higuain defied instructions on Chelsea debut

---

Porto vs Liverpool: Kick-off time. The Champions League clash will get underway at 8pm on Wednesday, April 17. The Reds hold a commanding advantage in the tie thanks to goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino in the first leg at Anfield. Liverpool won 5-0 when made the trip to Porto in last season's Champions League Round of 16 tie.
Portugal vs Netherlands live on talkSPORT: Free commentary

---

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has admitted his future with the Blues looks "bleaker" following Gonzalo Higuain's arrival at the club. The Argentine has signed on loan with the option for Chelsea to buy him in the summer for £31million.
Giroud: Higuain arrival at Chelsea makes my future bleaker

---

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the club will play their first official match at their new stadium in early April, with their first Premier League opponent set to be either Crystal Palace or
Tottenham announce first match for new 62,000 capacity

---

We reckon stars from Manchester United, Burnley, Liverpool, Manchester City and Everton would form the North's team, while Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Swansea players would make the team for the South. CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY ABOVE TO SEE OUR NORTH V SOUTH ALL-STAR LINE-UPS. Related articles
Premier League All-Stars Game - Good or Bad? | Sportslens

---