Jack Wilshere believes he can improve Arsenal and England if Arsene Wenger and Gareth Southgate trust him to play

  • Jack Wilshere has impressed for Arsenal during their Europa League campaign
  • Calls are loundening for Wilshere to start Arsenal's game against Southampton
  • The 34-cap England international is looking to earn the trust of his manager
  • Wilshere concedes both Arsenal and England are 'difficult' teams to break in to 

Jack Wilshere is back and believes he can make Arsenal and England better teams if Arsene Wenger and Gareth Southgate trust him to play.

The exiled international has not started a Premier League game all season and is yet to add to his 34 caps since Southgate took charge last November.

But a string of convincing cameo roles from the bench and a man of the match display in Europe in midweek have prompted calls for him to start as Arsenal look to bounce back from last weekend's defeat by Manchester United in Sunday's always testing clash at Southampton.

Jack Wilshere is hoping Arsene Wenger and Gareth Southgate warm to him over the winter

Jack Wilshere is hoping Arsene Wenger and Gareth Southgate warm to him over the winter

The midfielder look in high spirits as he trained alongside Danny Welbeck on Saturday

The midfielder look in high spirits as he trained alongside Danny Welbeck on Saturday

The Gunners were training on a fine winter's morning at London Colney ahead of Sunday's tie

The Gunners were training on a fine winter's morning at London Colney ahead of Sunday's tie

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger discusses tactics with Laurent Koscielny during training

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger discusses tactics with Laurent Koscielny during training

Wenger says that Wilshere's fitness and form have made him a strong 'candidate' for selection, knowing how much the player he has nurtured since he was 16 is keen to play.


Wilshere, who is out of contract in June and will hold talks in the New Year to see if he remains at Arsenal, said: 'It's not just now I want to play – I have been wanting to play for ages. I have spoken to the manager and he knows I want to play in the Premier League.

'I also have to respect that the team has been playing well. I know we lost last weekend but before that, we were on a good run. It is a difficult team to get into.

'There are many quality players so all I can do when I get an opportunity is play as well as I can and show the boss what I can do.'

Alexis Sanchez searches for options as he waits to deliver a corner as part of training

Alexis Sanchez searches for options as he waits to deliver a corner as part of training

Olivier Giroud and Welbeck keep their eyes on the ball as it is crossed into the box

Olivier Giroud and Welbeck keep their eyes on the ball as it is crossed into the box

Arsenal players compete against one another to win the resulting cross in the sunshine

Arsenal players compete against one another to win the resulting cross in the sunshine

But the player the fans affectionately call 'Super Jack' is in no doubt that he is still more than good enough to make an impact.

He added: 'Of course I think I'm good enough. I felt that even when I was a 16 year old and I was with players here who were international players, and I believed I was good enough to be in the team.

'If you don't believe in yourself, then who is going to believe in you?

'All you can do is feel confident in yourself that if you get the opportunity to get into the team, you'll hopefully improve the team. If the opportunity comes this weekend, I'll be ready.'

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Wilshere's last appearance in an England shirt came in the ill-fated EURO 2016 defeat by Iceland at the end of an injury-affected season.

A loan move to Bournemouth followed in search of regular starts last season, only to be punctuated by a fractured fibular in April.

Fitter than he has possibly ever been now, the Londoner also knows the only way to salvage his dream of playing for England at next summer's World Cup is to play on the weekends.

'I want to play for my country. I haven't for a while. The manager seems to not favour me, if you like, in that he hasn't picked me recently.

'He said he wants me to be playing regularly in the Premier League and fair enough, that's what I have to do.

'I have been playing in the Europa League and I've felt I've done well. If that' s not enough then I've got into the Premier League team.

'Until I do that I'm not going to be in his plans. I accept that, and I will try and work hard to get into the Premier League team, and ultimately into the England team.'

Nacho Monreal attempts to get past his fellow full back Hector Bellerin as training continues

Nacho Monreal attempts to get past his fellow full back Hector Bellerin as training continues

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil gets away from Calum Chambers as training continues

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil gets away from Calum Chambers as training continues

Despite failing to feature at weekends, Wilshere is still a favourite among Arsenal fans and they want him to stay.

The midfielder, though, knows that may not be the case as he enters the final six months of his current deal, but he is not letting it impact his performances.

'Sometimes, when I'm at home,' he said. 'Maybe you think: 'What's going to happen? I've only got six months left.'

'I've always felt the love from the fans here since I was 16. They've been brilliant with me.

'When they sing my name, I thank them for that and I just try to repay them and show them what I can do and help when I get on the pitch.' 

Mohamed Elneny takes a lot of joy out of hammering the ball away with a drop kick

Mohamed Elneny takes a lot of joy out of hammering the ball away with a drop kick