Arsenal star Jack Wilshere 'had to prove himself again' for club and country

Jack Wilshere feels he has proved his fitness to both England and Arsenal as he looks to secure a place at the World Cup and earn a better new contract at Emirates Stadium.

The midfielder has suffered from ankle injuries in recent seasons but has regained his place in the Arenal side with a series of impressive displays, and yesterday he earned his first England call-up in almost two years ahead of this month’s international friendlies against Holland and Italy.

Wilshere, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, is out of contract in June and there is doubt over his future, with Arsenal offering a performance-incentivised contract extension which includes a reduction to his basic £90,000-a-week wage.

The offer seems to reflect his injury record but Wilshere believes he has shown England boss Gareth Southgate and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger his fitness problems are behind him.

“Not just the England manager, but the Arsenal manager made it clear what they wanted from me,” he said.

“The manager (Southgate) made it clear what he wanted me to do — get some games for Arsenal in the Premier League and prove my fitness. I have done that and he has been true to his word. It is down to me to repay him now and show everyone I can still perform at that level.”

Wilshere last featured for England at Euro 2016 and did not make his first Premier League start of this season until December 13.

But he has had a prolonged spell in the Arsenal team since then and was handed the captaincy when Laurent Koscielny went off with a back injury in the 11th minute of last night’s Europa League last-16 tie against AC Milan.

“I believed in myself and my ability,” he said. “I have been lucky enough to do it a few times. I never gave up that little bit of hope of doing it again.

“It was tough back in the summer when I was watching the boys training, not knowing if I was staying or I was leaving. Once I knew I was staying I was determined to get my head down and get back into the team.

“I know the manager trusts me here. It was about, when I came off the bench, proving to him that I can still do it.”

Wilshere last week cast fresh doubt over his Arsenal future by admitting he is no closer to agreeing a new contract. And, following last night’s 3-1 win over Milan — which sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory — Wilshere said: “We will see. When the time is right me and the boss will sit down and have a conversation and see where we go from there.”