‘Jack is almost the complete midfielder’

Wojciech Szczesny believes Jack Wilshere is developing into the “complete midfielder” and offers the perfect balance between attack and defence.

The England international has been in fine form of late, and scored one of Arsenal’s goals of the season so far against Manchester City last month.

Szczesny is pleased to see his close friend back to his best, and feels there is one area that he still needs to improve on.

“He has done well,” the goalkeeper told Arsenal Player. “Obviously there is a lot of competition for his spot because you have Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, plus Mikel and Mathieu playing that bit deeper.

“So it’s hard for him but every time he has come in and got his chance he has done very well. He got a good goal against Man City - I’m not sure he meant that! - but I’m very happy with him.

“He can go past players in midfield, which is a very important quality. We are all about passing the ball and moving it quickly, but sometimes if you can get past players in midfield it gives us a massive advantage - and Jack is very comfortable doing that.

“That is one of his biggest qualities. If he can just add a few more goals to his game then he will be pretty much a complete player for us.”

There has been some debate about whether Wilshere should become a specialised defensive midfielder, but Szczesny wants him to remain where he is.

“You don’t get too many midfielders who are [just] central midfielders - they are either defensive or attacking midfielders,” he said. “Jack has a very good balance between the two.

“I don’t think it is an argument whether he should be a defensive midfielder or a No 10. I am happy with him being very balanced between defending and attacking.”