Wilshere - Japan can be a major force

Jack Wilshere believes Japan have the potential to become a major force in world football.

Arsenal will play two matches in the country later this month - against Nagoya Grampus and Urawa Reds - as part of this summer's Far East tour.

Wilshere is looking forward to testing himself against some of the best players in the J-League and says the national team is improving all the time.

“Without a shadow of a doubt [there could be a future World Cup winner from Asia],” he told Arsenal Player. “They have great players and there are more and more in Europe these days.

“Japan can be a force to be reckoned with. They have a great national team and it will be interesting to go over there and face their teams. When we play against them with England we know we are in for a tough game.

“The players are more technically gifted than physically gifted. They keep the ball well and they cover a lot of ground, so they are tough opponents.”