Wilshere hoping for Arsenal action

24 April 2010 12:14
Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere is hoping to force his way into the starting line-up when he returns from his loan spell at Bolton.[LNB] The highly-rated 18-year-old has been a regular for the Trotters since making a temporary switch to the Reebok Stadium in January.[LNB]And Wilshere says he wants to continue playing first-team football when he rejoins his parent club ahead of the start of next season.[LNB]"I don't really want to go back and be on the bench the whole time. I want to play," he told The Times. [LNB]"I had a good pre-season last summer but didn't really play once the season started apart from the odd Carling Cup game. [LNB]"I felt, and the manager felt, it was better to come here, get some experience and get up to speed."[LNB]The attacking midfielder realises the hype that will surround any English player that shines at such a young age.[LNB]But Wilshere insists that he is not letting press talk distract his game and regularly takes guidance from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on how to remain focused on football.[LNB]He added: "There has always been that thing with the English boys where the press say: 'He's the next big thing', like with Theo (Walcott) really.[LNB]"He (Wenger) talks to you about that: not letting you get above yourself, keeping your head straight, lifestyle, not getting too big for your boots."[LNB]Wilshere also believes that he is just one of a host of talented England youngsters, pointing to the quality present in the nation's Under 21 team as a sign of a bright future.[LNB]"I think this is a strong age group in England," he said.[LNB]"People talk about the foreign kids in the academies, but you look at Arsenal and it's mostly English - me, Craig Eastmond, Sanchez Watt, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.[LNB]"The (England) Under 21s are a good team.[LNB]"You've got Andy Carroll, John Bostock, who was playing for Crystal Palace at 15, Tom Cleverley, who's been on loan from Man Utd at Watford.[LNB]"I couldn't even tell you what footed Jack Rodwell is. People forget he's only 19.[LNB]"I think it's something different to what we've had before because they're all technical players.[LNB]"It has been drummed into us since we were young, especially at Arsenal."

Source: Team_Talk