Jack Wilshere paid tribute to Reiss Nelson and Jo Willock after the teenage duo produced composed performances in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League.
Nelson, playing at right wing-back, and Willock, anchoring the midfield, coped well with the intense atmosphere produced by the local crowd as they made their tenth and eighth appearances of the season respectively.
Speaking after the game, Wilshere, who impressed again in midfield, reflected on his own experience of playing in Serbia as a youngster.
“It’s only a good thing [for Nelson and Willock playing in this environment],” he told Arsenal.com.
“I remember when I was 18 or 19, we came to Partizan Belgrade and we won 3-1. It was a massive learning curve for me, so I’m sure they’re going to take stuff from this.
“I thought they were both outstanding, both of the starting boys and the boys that came on. But especially the boys that started.
“It’s a tough ask for them to come here, they’re only young, Reiss is just 17. So he’s playing in a position he’s not used to as well and he’s getting better and better.
“First half, I thought he was outstanding and Joe is the player who can win the ball back in their half and our half. He’s fit, he gets around the pitch and that’s massively important for this team.
“Going forward in this competition they’re going to learn and grow and be big players for us.”
After Saturday’s defeat by Watford, Wilshere also drew attention to the character the Gunners needed to show to secure all three points.
“I said yesterday in our press conference I don’t think anyone can question our character, we showed that tonight, you know it’s a tough place to come I don’t think they’ve lost here this season.
“We knew that before the game and we knew that they were going to be up for it, of course they were, there fans were, it’s one of the most noises stadiums I’ve played in my career and of course they’re going to be up for it.
“They were well organised and they sat back and made us take the game to them when we had the ball and when they had the ball they caused us a few problems so we knew we were going to have to be ready and focused and the boss said at half time as well just keep playing keep playing because spaces are opening up and they did, we got the win so we’re happy.”
I’m glad he is saying ‘us’ again. 🙂
“I said yesterday in our press conference I don’t think anyone can question our character, we showed that tonight, you know it’s a tough place to come I don’t think they’ve lost here this season.”
Man, we’d freaking own the Serbian League
Here’s to hoping that if Ozil does go off in January or in the summer, Jack becomes the “10” we all wish he could become.
love this, I’d rather see a no.10 who loves this club playing for us. Same goes to our no.7.
Nelson and willock ten and eight games? 3 spursday cup and 1 league cup, what else have they played?
Forget that, reserve games or whatever it is these days
Also played in some mid season matches.
oxo cube. fuck off back to liverpool
Interesting how he doesn’t consider AMN a youngster
Wow, every time I’ve seen Wilshere play this season, I’ve been thinking that he is the solution to all the problems our first team has. The biggest problem we have right now, is definitely our CM. While Xhaka has just been in terrible form recently, I think over all what this 3-4-3 needs, if we’re playing two CMs, is to have one CM who is mobile and defensive or can carry the ball well and be tenacious. Xhaka doesn’t have the physical qualities for that, and while I rate Ramsey highly, I think he doesn’t work with Xhaka, because neither… Read more »
Sadly all this counts for nothing if he gets injured
I’d not only put him straight back in the starting XI, but I’d also give him the armband. A true Arsenal man who clearly hurts like hell when we lose!
seeing him yesterday made me feel younger. watching jack play makes feel feel all ‘Arsenaly’ i just love his movement. and he links so graceful with giroud at times. fuck ozil. Jack is the one.
Romford Pele Mk. 2.
So if it’s true Ozil has said he’s going to manure then only a complete twonk would have him anywhere near the first team. He cannot sign a pre-contract with an English club, so he can rot in the reserves.
Unfortunately, our manager will spend the next 6 months saying he’s staying, he’ll give 100% and that he won’t go to manure.
Ahhhh the laughing stock he makes of us.
Ok, letting the thumbing down start…..NOW!
Jack sounds more and more like captain material. Could be the making of him. He seems to have matured. Showed tonight the quality he offers. On form, he should start against Swansea.
@blogs, is it possible to get rid of all the ads popping up in the middle of articles? One moment I am scrolling down and the next moment I have clicked an ad and is being directed to a new page…
Those ads are how he makes a living. The more times you accidentally press it, the more money he earns… I think I’ll accidentally press it a couple of times myself.
Those kind of ads should not be on the site. Can you give me more info? Mobile or desktop, which browser etc?
I’ve had one on chrome using my Huawei p9
Only chrome browser on Android OS seems to have the same problem.
Ahhh, sorry – we’ve always had an ad in the middle. I misunderstood what you’re saying.
Unfortunately, until such time as we get our subscription service operational, we need them to keep things going, pay our writers etc.
I’m not gonna tell a man how to scroll, but perhaps a gentle touch might help 😉
Fun game even if the quality was missing here and there. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Hoping that Giroud and especially Walcott can learn to pass. Elneny and Debuchy made a few errors too, and Jack had a lot to do playing left winger and no.10 at the same time. Despite this disjointedness I really enjoyed it. Here’s to hoping we field a similar team (maybe one with slightly more balance) in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
Words or a Future captain…. if he can stay fit
Of
Wilshere belongs to this club. He does. Surely does.
I’m sure he said “their fans”.