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

---

January transfer window latest: Manchester United target Diego Godin set for shock Atletico Madrid exit - reports The Uruguay international is out of contract in the summer and reports suggest
Man Utd transfer target Diego Godin set for Atletico Madrid

---

Chelsea attacker, Eden Hazard has reportedly already agreed a five-year contract with Real Madrid ahead of his proposed move to the Bernabeu this summer. The Belgian has long been linked with a move to the Spanish capital and has made no secret of his desire to represent Madrid at some stage of his career.
Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard 'agrees five-year Real Madrid

---

Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool: The best pictures of Reds players celebrating Champions League triumph; Reds boost title hopes with last-gasp winner. Sport March 31, 2019 .
~ Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham: Jurgen Klopp hails 'incredible

---

Real Betis 1-4 Barcelona: Betis fans chant Lionel Messi's name and give him a standing ovation as sublime hat-trick sinks their team. Lionel Messi hit a hat-trick as Barcelona beat Real Betis 4-1
Fans react to Messi's staggering hat-trick vs Real Betis

---

Sir Alex Ferguson to return to Manchester United dugout for charity match of club legends against Bayern Munich, who United beat to win the 1999 Champions League, in a game that will raise
Man Utd confirm Sir Alex Ferguson return to Old Trafford

---

The Red Devils travel to the Mestalla with an outside chance of beating Juventus to top spot in the group In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day
Valencia CF vs. Manchester United - msn.com

---

About our Manchester United news NewsNow aims to be the world's most accurate and comprehensive Manchester United news aggregator, bringing you the latest Red Devils headlines from the best Man United sites and other key national and international news sources. Whether it's the very latest transfer news from Old Trafford, quotes from an Ole
Manchester United Transfer news: Red Devils - msn.com

---

Steven Gerrard believes it would have been an injustice had Manchester United been denied the dramatic last-gasp penalty which gave them the 3-1 win over Paris St Germain and a place in the
VAR prevented Man United suffering 'injustice' defeat against

---

Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has distanced himself from speculation linking him with the vacant Leicester City job. The Spaniard is believed to be on a shortlist for the post after Claude Puel was sacked at the weekend. However, Benitez played down any interest in the position when asked at his Press conference today.
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez backs goalkeeper Matz Sels after

---

Champions League final: Sean Cox congratulates Liverpool for winning European Cup with defeat of Tottenham Mr Cox was allowed to watch Saturday's showpiece fixture at home after being discharged
Sean Cox congratulates Liverpool for winning European Cup

---

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has put holiday plans on ice to focus on fully recovering from injury this summer. The left back is having an ongoing battle with a meniscus problem and

---

'fine me!' And BT Sport host Gary Lineker refused to apologise! Jurgen Klopp was lost for words following Liverpool's extraordinary Champions League triumph over Barcelona - and could only describe his players as 'f***** giants'.
Jurgen Klopp describes Liverpool players as 'f****** giants
newsleak24.com/jurgen-klopp-describes-liverpool-players-as-f-giants-live-on-tv-after-extraordinary-champions-league-triumph-over-barcelona/
Jurgen Klopp describes Liverpool players as 'f***** giants' live on TV after extraordinary Champions League triumph over Barcelona.
Jurgen Klopp describes Liverpool players as 'f****** giants

---