Jack Wilshere says starting the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea as Arsenal captain was a ‘special moment’ for him given last year he had doubts about whether he’d return to the Emirates.
Assuming the 26-year-old recovers from the ankle knock he picked up at Stamford Bridge, he should start in midfield against Bournemouth, the club that took him on a restorative loan deal last campaign.
Reflecting on Arsene Wenger’s decision to award him the captain’s armband, Wilshere said he’d had to work hard and play the long game to prove he still has the qualities to succeed at the highest level.
“I want to be Arsenal captain,” he told Sky Sports. “I really enjoyed the other night, it was my first start as captain and walking the boys out was a special feeling for me and my family so that is something that I want to do. I never really stopped dreaming about that.
“There was a time last year when Arsenal were playing against Bournemouth at the Vitality where I sat in the crowd watching and thinking ‘am I going to go back to Arsenal and play?’ but apart from that, I never really thought about not becoming the player everyone thought I would be or not fulfilling my potential.
“I just wanted to prove my fitness at Bournemouth then come back here and try and get into the team. I played the long game and I worked hard. I’m not saying that’s over but I’m the team now and I need to work even harder maybe to keep my place and improve as a player as well.”
Wilshere also took the opportunity to again hint that his long-term future remains at Arsenal, even though the club have yet to confirm a new contract.
“There’s not a decision to make in January. I’ve still got six months left of my contract, I’m an Arsenal player and I’m enjoying playing week in, week out. I’ve had loads of questions about my future and there’s nothing more I can say until something’s official and we can concentrate on the future but right now, I’m concentrating on each game as it comes.
“I’ve just got back into the team and the club, I suppose, were just waiting for that moment where I’ve proved my fitness and I’ve proved that I can play in the Premier League each week for a top club so now that’s happened.
“We’re not waiting for anything really, maybe the right time when there’s a little break in the fixtures – which there’s not – but I’m sure in a couple of weeks, something will get done or the boss will say something and we’ll go from there.”
__
For more quotes from Jack, including updates on his England ambitions, his attitude towards game preparation and more, check out the full Sky Sports interview.
Yes..has to be him.A player who actually wants to stay at arsenal and knows what it means to wear the cannon.Love you wilshere.
#MakeArsenalGreatAgain.
Top top guy.
Fine comment everyone can agree with, just don’t use that hashtag ever again, please.
No …
I bloody love this man! Oozes arsenal..true gunner
He wears his heart of his sleeve for the club.
Not sure why its taking so long to extend him. Total asset and one of us.
I think it’s best for Jack to concentrate in staying fit first, then the rest will fall into place.
Exactly, and i hope he gives the No.10 to Ozil if Ozil wants it.
no, jack is arsenals one and only number 10, if ozil don’t like it then tuff
I love Jack Wilshere , he is one of the few good things about Arsenal that gives you hope in these tough times.
Give it to him.. He wants to play for the club and understands values and traditions of the club.. Sign the contract and be an inspirational leader.. #superjack
That’s nice that he wants it,
he’s nowhere near ready for it though…….
Heart is there. Not intimidating enough like Adams or Viera were though.
I would like that, a lot
So rare to have a player who is that club through and through to play for you. Can’t think of many players from Chelsea man u, city and Liverpool who are like that at the moment.
A propos of nothing… Coquelin and Gabriel played against Lucas Perez yesterday. All started. Valencia won 2-1 and Coq got a 7.3 rating on WhoScored (Perez 7.6 and Gabriel 6.7)
Did Coq score? lol
Gotta give it to him – everyone had turned on him last year when he left. He won the crowd back in just a month. Just stay fit.
A percentage of fans turned on him tbh, but that’s the emotion of being a fan.
I’ve always liked him and think a year away at Bournemouth being coached differently may have made him think about his game because he seems less impetuous and doesn’t dive into reckless challenges as often.
I did notice him talking a lot to Xhaka in the Chelsea game, maybe the responsibility of being captain would see him finally fulfil his potential?
And what Arsenal fan wouldn’t want to see that….
Him with Rambo as Vice…. So we’d probably need a good third choice!
I hope you will be jack, we need someone like you to give a big kick up the backside to those players that need it, and then hand it over to holding
Give him the armband. Outstanding display today. He attacks and turns with the ball. Excellent distribution and protection of the ball. He did a lot of running and covering today. The other player that I thought did well was Iwobi. Excellent assist. He is truly better in a deeper role or coming from deep. Much like Jack, he receives and turns the ball quickly. A dodgy moment with the elbow but otherwise a lot of promise. i think Wenger has got it topsy-turvy. Ramsey is better higher up (in the Ozil position) attacking the box. Its his instinct. Iwobi to… Read more »
Sorry but I think Xhaka should be nowhere near Arsenal, simply not good enough. I doubt anyone looks at Xhaka and thinks we’re in for a tough game today. Gives the ball away, stupid fouls. Just not good enough. We need a stopper to play alongside Jack.
I know it might sound weird but we’ve got a team full of players who think they’re all brilliant. We need a destroyer