Published: 14 November, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

JACK Wilshere believes people often forget he is only 21 when they scrutinise his performances for club and country.

The Arsenal midfielder is being tipped to start England’s friendly against Chile at Wembley tomorrow (Friday), but is then likely to be rested for the game against Germany on Tuesday as he looks finally to overcome a niggling ankle injury.

Wilshere admitted that as a young player growing up in the modern game he’s had no choice but to get use to the close scrutiny he faces every time he steps out on to the pitch.

“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.

“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. People think that when you’re 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.”