News

Wenger - Jack always makes a difference

Jack Wilshere

Arsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere is physically back at his peak and has retained his ability to make a difference.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a fine opening to the new campaign, with no outfield player starting more games for the Gunners this season.

Wilshere impressed for England recently and Wenger is pleased to see the midfielder performing well for club and country.

"I am very proud when I see five England players wearing the Arsenal shirt"

"He is back, physically, to where he was before," the boss said. "He has more experience and I think he mixed well his long balls and kept his individual capacity to make a difference [for England]. That is what being a midfielder is about.

"Jack is not a ball-winner. I believe he is more a guy you want to get close to the final third, [if you] keep him deep you take a big part of his efficiency away.

"He is a guy who likes to penetrate when there are many people - he can provoke free-kicks, he can create openings. It would be detrimental to his strengths [to play in a position that] is not his strength."

 

Jack Wilshere in action for England

Jack Wilshere in action for England

 

Wenger was delighted that five members of his squad were included in the England squad for European Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia.

"First of all [the reason for it is that] we gave chances to players from our academy," Wenger explained. "I cannot say the Danny Welbeck situation was planned for five years.

"I try to buy the best English players, Walcott and Chambers are a consequence of that.

"They know if they are good they get a chance. I am very proud when I see five England players wearing the Arsenal shirt and that we still have Walcott, who was not there."