Press conference

Wenger - This is the most mature Jack I’ve seen

The sight of Jack Wilshere in full flow is always a thrilling one for Arsenal fans - and we were treated to another masterclass from him on Thursday night.

The England international scored his first goal of the season against BATE Borisov and impressed with a dominant showing against the Belarussian champions.

Arsene Wenger was delighted with how Wilshere performed - and said he expects the midfielder to be challenging for a place in the Premier League now.

“You will see more of him because he had a little fracture [before] the start of the season, but now I would not even say he is coming back - he is back,” the manager said.

“The next step is for him to be competitive in the Premier League and to fight for his place in the team. He will get games, he will get the opportunity to show that Jack Wilshere is back.

“I would say this is the most mature Wilshere I have seen, in the game and outside the game. He is not excessive, he has taken a distance from the pressure that was always around him.

“He is a special talent  and since he was 17 all the attention in the country was on him. He has gone through huge disappointments, but now he is a father and a happy father.

“You can see he thinks with a different perspective and I personally feel this is the most mature, balanced Wilshere I have seen.”