Arsene Wenger has come out to say that Jack Wilshere’s journey into Arsenal’s first team is still being blocked by Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, but hopes a return to the England side will give a psychological boost to the midfielder.
“In my head, he’s more a little bit higher up [the field]. I see him more a player who can affect the game in the final third than a player who is a box-to-box player,” Wenger said ahead of Thursday’s Europa League game against Red Star Belgrade. “He’s a little bit in conflict in this position with Ozil and Sanchez. I believe he can as well play in midfield in a 4-2-3-1, he can play midfield in a 4-3-3. In the system we play, I see him a bit more advanced.”
Despite limited playing time this season as Wilshere made his return from a broken ankle, he could be in line for a return to the England team. Wenger said he spoke to England manager Gareth Southgate about the midfielder before Saturday’s game against Swansea, and gave him the all-clear for a call-up.
“He just asked me how he is, and I said, look, I have no restriction, he is very good,” Wenger said. “Personally, I think he’s ready. He was not three weeks ago but he is today. … I don’t know how you can keep a super-fit Jack out of the England squad.”
“I am convinced that it would help him, personally. When you have been so frustrated at so many times [by injuries], every positive experience is welcome,” Wenger said. “And it would be a positive one, because you have the World Cup, you have a new manager who hasn’t called him up yet. So that certainly would play a positive part in his head.”
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