Arsene Wenger believes that Jack Wilshere can have a “huge career” if he manages to steer clear of injury.
The England international missed the entire 2011/12 campaign with foot and ankle problems, and has had to deal with a series of minor issues since then.
Now back to full fitness, Wenger expects Wilshere to prove his quality this season - despite the heightened expectations he must deal with.
"If Wilshere can maintain physically to be fit then he will make a huge career"
“Before he was in Calum Chambers’ position, then suddenly when you get to 22 the expectation level comes on you,” the manager said. “Wayne Rooney has gone through that, now it goes through Wilshere.
“I believe at the moment he should not respond to it, just focus on his game. If Wilshere can maintain physically to be fit then he will make a huge career.
“At the moment, I believe he should just focus on that - being fit, present and to improve physically. The rest will come along. I told him the target is for him to have a whole season of being available to play.
“I think he is on target of where he should be. He is not as far as everyone expected him to be from when he was 18. But he’s not as far because he was injured, not because he doesn’t train seriously.
“He is a guy who when he goes out there, he wants to play, he works hard but he was out for one-and-a-half years.”
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