Wilshere keen to learn from Fabregas

16 September 2010 15:23
Jack Wilshere insists he is ready to challenge for a regular place in Arsenal's first XI - and intends to learn all he can from Cesc Fabregas.[LNB] The 18-year-old, capped by Fabio Capello for the friendly against Hungary, continued his impressive start to the season as the Gunners swept past Champions League newcomers Braga 6-0 at Emirates Stadium last night, with Spain World Cup winner Fabregas netting a brace.[LNB]Wilshere was left on the bench by England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce for the recent European Championship qualifying win over Portugal, amid concerns the player's focus was not right following his arrest and subsequent bail after a late-night fracas in Kensington.[LNB]However, the teenager, who spent a loan spell at Bolton last season, has since shown he is very much capable of competing at the highest level.[LNB]Wilshere, who set a new record as the youngest Arsenal first-team player in the league and Europe during September 2008, declared: "It is good to get games and hopefully I can push on from here.[LNB]"I am just trying to break into the Arsenal first team.[LNB]"Last year, I had to go out on loan to get some games because there were some world-class players at Arsenal, but I have come back with more experience and the boss thinks I am ready to challenge for a place.[LNB]"All I can do is challenge and show them what I can do."[LNB]Wilshere continued: "It is perfect playing with Cesc and Alex [Song] in midfield.[LNB]"Playing with people like Cesc Fabregas makes it easy for you.[LNB]He will talk to you and talk you through games.[LNB]"You saw what Cesc could do against Braga - it is perfect for me to learn from him."[LNB]The comprehensive victory over the Champions League newcomers continued Arsenal's impressive start to the new season - netting 12 goals in their three home games.[LNB]While Wenger maintains none of his squad will get carried away on their early promise, Wilshere sees no reason why the young Gunners cannot stay on course to deliver success.[LNB]"This year we are ready to go on," he said.[LNB]"It gives us an incentive with the final at Wembley.[LNB]"Hopefully we qualify from the group and then we see what happens."[LNB]Wilshere was a constant menace in and around the Braga penalty area last night, while also helping break up play in midfield.[LNB]Indeed, but for a fine save from busy keeper Felipe, he could have got on the scoresheet himself.[LNB]Wenger believes the 18-year-old has matured a lot in the past 12 months.[LNB]"The loan spell was important because it accelerated his career by being confronted in the Premier League and having tough games," the Arsenal manager reflected.[LNB]"Jack has been educated here and he was already an outstanding player when he left for Bolton, but this is the final part of the education of a player - to be integrated into the first team and play under pressure. That was important for him."[LNB]Wenger, though, admits he did not expect Wilshere, who has three Premier League starts already, to feature so prominently at this early stage of the campaign.[LNB]"Football teaches you one thing - be open-minded and never have a definite opinion," he said.[LNB]"You need to have opinions sometimes, but you always have to have an open mind on players because you can never predict how quickly they develop."[LNB]Midfielder Abou Diaby is set for a spell on the sidelines, having been ruled out by an X-rated tackle from Bolton's Paul Robinson, which went unpunished by referee Stuart Attwell, but centre-half Thomas Vermaelen could return at Sunderland on Saturday following his Achilles problem.[LNB]Arsenal will face another test of character at the Stadium of Light, where they went down 1-0 last November just after the international break.[LNB]Defender Gael Clichy maintains this time, the Gunners must show their true championship credentials.[LNB]"We know how difficult the Premier League is so we have to recover quick because we know Saturday will be a battle," he said.[LNB]"They are good at home and we just want to show that we can perform week in week out."[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk