Interview

Wilshere - I had more of a license to go forward

Jack Wilshere scored his first Arsenal goal since May 2015 in our convincing 6-0 win over BATE Borisov on Thursday night.

After the match, the midfielder spoke to the media - read on for a full transcript.

on scoring for the first time in 18 months…

On a personal note it’s nice to get on the scoresheet. I was playing in a more central position and had a bit more license to get in the box and get off more shots. I enjoyed that role, but overall we knew that the match didn’t mean much, but it could have been one of those nights if we didn’t give it the right amount of focus, so we played some nice stuff, got some nice goals and are happy.

on not starting in the Premier League…

This is Arsenal, we have top players and all I can do when I’m called upon in the Europa League and off the bench in the Premier League is give my all, but at the end of the day what matters is the team. The team have been on a good run, except at the weekend, but we’re confident in all of our players, that we can bounce back. We have a good squad here and it’s tough getting ahead of some of these players, so all I can do is try and do my best.

Wilshere has made 14 appearances in all competitions so far this season

on whether he will be at the club past January…

I think so, but you have to ask the manager. it’s down to the manager and the club. I’ve said before how much this club means to me. I enjoy playing for this club, whether it’s in the Europa League, Premier League or Carabao Cup, and as you said I’ve only got six months left on my contract. But we’ll see, I’m enjoying playing at the moment.

on whether he is trying to make a statement…

I’m always trying to make a statement. I’m not in the Premier League team, so I’m trying to get into that. Every game and chance I get is an opportunity for me to show the manager what I can do and hopefully I did that tonight.