Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has told critics to remember that he is only 21 still and has a long future ahead of him.
Several people have started to doubt the Englishman’s talents this season after a lot of pressure and expectations were put upon his shoulders over the last two seasons.
The 21-year-old has returned from a serious ankle injury, which kept him out for 17-months, but there are still slight niggles with the ankle and manager Arsene Wenger is desperate not to rush Wilshere back just in case he picks up yet another bad injury.
Despite all the pressure and the criticism, Wilshere is still feeling positive and he has reminded people that he is still young.
“Yes, I do think [people forget my age],” he told Arsenal.com. “Not just because I’ve been around for a long time, but people hear I’ve got two kids and it’s not often you hear about a 21-year-old with two kids.
“I’ve been in the first team since I was 16 so that’s five years and that’s quite a long time in football terms.
“I made my debut when I was 16 and the aim was to play for England and it came pretty quickly – when I was 18. Then the main thing after that was to keep my place in the Arsenal team week in, week out and I did during that season.
“I then had a frustrating year with injury and it’s tough when you’re out injured, you’ve got to come back. People think that when you’re out injured you don’t do a lot of work but you do, trust me.
“It’s tough but last season I got back into the team, got fit again and had 30-odd games which was nice, and this year I’ve stayed fit so far and that’s the aim for the rest of season.
“I play week in, week out against 31 and 32-year-olds so I think you just have to take that [close scrutiny].
“People are always going to criticise you and judge your performances all the time. They are paid to do that, so you have to concentrate on your own game.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
