Jack Wilshere believes there is more expectation on him now that he's into his twenties.
The England midfielder made a sparkling start to his Arsenal career but was forced to spend a whole season on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
Wilshere returned to the team last season and he knows it's tougher to turn heads at this stage of his career.
"I remember breaking into the team and then after the Barcelona game, I thought I improved a lot"
Jack Wilshere
"I think as you grow up things get a little bit harder," Wilshere told Arsenal Player. "When you're 18 you can make your little mistakes, you can give the ball away sometimes.
"People say 'he's still learning the game' but when you're 21 and you're playing for your country as well - you've got to be at your highest level.
"Expectations are always really high and I think when you look at players over the years when they get to 21, 22, things can be a little bit tougher. That's when your character comes out - you just have to keep going and work hard in training."
Wilshere started to hold down a regular place in Arsene Wenger's side in the 2010/11 season and thinks his performance in the 2-1 win over Barcelona in February 2011 was a turning point.
"I made a few jumps that year," said Wilshere. "I remember certain games where I think I went up a couple of levels, I remember breaking into the team and then after the Barcelona game, I thought I improved a lot.
"In that one night you learn a lot and then it was frustrating to get an injury. But now I'm back and hopefully I can stay there."
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