'I scored a hat-trick while hungover on my Arsenal league debut - sorry Arsene Wenger'

Jermaine Pennant ended up scoring a hat-trick for Arsenal against Southampton successful 2003 contempt drinking heavy the nighttime earlier - and helium has present apologised to aged brag Arsene Wenger due to the fact that it was "not precise professional"

Former Arsenal prima Jermaine Pennant has apologised to aged brag Arsene Wenger aft reflecting backmost connected being hungover during his Premier League debut for the Gunners.

Pennant has discussed his infamous bow against Southampton successful 2003 galore times earlier but present the ex-winger has gone into much item connected what happened the nighttime before, revealing helium had been invited to a enactment hosted by mag FHM.

Now 41, things turned retired OK for Pennant arsenic helium ended up scoring a hat-trick successful a 6-1 triumph implicit the Saints astatine Highbury - and helium has present told of however helium enjoyed the boozy evening convinced that helium was not going to commencement the game.

He told talkSport: "My sanction was connected the (squad) list. I was told astir 11.30 astatine the hotel. I’ve ne'er started, truthful I thought thing would change, worst lawsuit scenario… no, champion lawsuit scenario… I americium connected the seat and I travel connected for the past 5 minutes. The boys were telling maine not to bash it and that I was going to start.

"I was saying, 'absolutely not' – I’m not going to commencement successful beforehand of these different guys. There wasn’t a chance. I spell to the enactment and it is bouncing. I said I’ll person 1 cheeky one. Next happening you know, it’s 4am. Shots are out. Tequilas. Sambucas. So I get successful astatine 6.30am. I’ve got to study successful astatine 11am. I’ve had 3 hours sleep.

"I spell determination and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, what person I done’ – Arsene (Wenger) is trying to speech to me. I’m looking the different mode truthful helium can’t odor the vodka. I was 21. You cognize what I mean? I wouldn’t counsel it now!"

Pennant - who lone went connected to marque 26 appearances for the Gunners earlier featuring for the likes of Liverpool and Stoke City - said helium "felt sick" erstwhile Wenger named him successful the starting XI earlier astonishing himself by netting a treble.

"I thought helium said Parlour!" He went on. "Patrick Vieira is telling me, 'this is your time' – and I’m like, nary Pat, it’s not, permission maine out! I’m thinking, 'what tin I bash to get subbed off? I’m successful nary acceptable authorities to play 90 minutes'. Then I scored.

"Then I thought I’d hold till half-time. Then I scored again. Then I got the hat-trick. Then I thought, ‘I’m staying on!’ – atrocious Arsene. It wasn’t precise professional."

Pennant's vocation with filled with controversies - being fixed a drink-driving condemnation and serving 30 days successful situation earlier being forced to deterioration an physics tag portion playing for Birmingham City.

He was besides known for his high-profile romances and aboriginal was declared bankrupt astatine the commencement of 2023 pursuing retiring from shot - but aboriginal bounced backmost with a acceptable of punditry gigs.

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