Source: SKY_Sports
Is Jack the lad?
Ray Parlour believes Jack Wilshere's performance in the Emirates Cup will inspire Arsenal's other youngsters.
The 17-year-old was named the man of the match in the games against Atletico Madrid and Rangers and is already being touted as a future England star.
And former Arsenal midfielder, Parlour, is confident that Wilshere's performances in the two games will give his FA Youth Cup winning team mates the belief that they too can break into the Gunners first team.
"Jack Wilshere at the weekend was absolutely different class and that's a benchmark for these young kids," he told Sky Sports News. "They look at Jack and realise that if they are good enough they will get in the side.
"I'm just hoping they all take a bit more confidence by looking at Jack. Sanchez Watt was on the bench as well (against Rangers) and he got a taste of first team football. Kieran Gibbs has also made the step up this year and he's done absolutely brilliantly.
"I do a lot of co-commentary on the reserves and there are a lot of good players in that team."
England manager Fabio Cappello, who was watching on from the stands at the Emirates, will no doubt have been impressed by what he saw of the Arsenal youngster.
However, Parlour says that talks of an England call-up are premature and that Wilshere should only be concentrating on cementing a place in Arsene Wenger's first eleven
"I'm sure Arsene Wenger is saying 'let's concentrate on Arsenal this year and see how many games we can use him,'" he said. "We don't want to rush the kid, but Fabio Cappello was here at the weekend and he must have been so impressed by Jack.
"He played with so much maturity for a 17-year-old and he makes the game looks easy and that is an art. It's something that you are born with and he's going to be a massive talent.
"But I'm not sure about (playing for) England next year. It all depends on how he does, but let's not push him too hard. As he said in his interview (after the Emirates Cup) the most important thing is to break into this Arsenal team and play on a regular basis."
