Jack Wilshere is being played out of position at Arsenal which is why he was overlooked for England, says Gareth Southgate.
Many thought Wilshere would return to the England set-up this week but Southgate looked elsewhere ahead of the games with Germany and Brazil.
Even with a number of players dropping out of the squad, the England manager still decided not to turn to Wilshere.
Southgate hinted Wilshere’s chances have been hindered by him being played in a more advanced role at Arsenal than he should be.
‘Jack played as a number 10 all of last season on loan at Bournemouth,’ he said.
‘That is not the way we are playing. When we have played with a 10, we have had Dele [Alli] and [Adam] Lallana. But we are not playing with a 10 tomorrow [against Germany on Friday].
‘I don’t think Jack is a 10. I think he is a deeper player, but he is not playing deeper. You’d have to ask Arsene [Wenger] why that was.’
Southgate suggested Wilshere could yet force his way back into the squad, but Wenger may need to utilise the midfielder in a deeper role at Arsenal.
Southgate said: ‘I want to be clear: I really like Jack Wilshere as a player. I think he is a talent and I really respect him as an individual. And I’m hoping that we are in a position in March where we can pick him.’
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