Arsenal news: Paul Merson makes claim over Jack Wilshere and Liverpool’s Adam Lallana

ARSENAL star Jack Wilshere is one of a very small number of English players who can “make things happen in a football match.”

Jack Wilshere Arsenal newsGETTY

Arsenal news: Jack Wilshere should be in the England World Cup squad, says Paul Merson

That is the view of former England and Arsenal forward Paul Merson. 

Wilshere has not played for his country this year due to the broken leg he suffered while on loan at Bournemouth.

The midfielder is yet to make a Premier League appearance for Arsenal this season but has impressed in the Europa League and Carabao Cup.

But Merson says the 25-year-old should be in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad which heads to Russia next summer.

Martin Keown PRAISES Arsenal's Jack Wilshere

Lallana, like Wilshere, is another player who can unpick tight defences, so he's a shoe-in

Paul Merson on Arsenal star Jack Wilshere

He believes Wilshere and Adam Lallana are the only two Englishmen who can unpick defences in close games.

“I’m throwing a wildcard in with Wilshere,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“Things may change by the time the squad is officially announced, but this lad is one of few who can makes things happen in a football match.

“That’s something we were crying out for against Slovenia. 

Adam Lallana Liverpool newsGETTY

Adam Lallana is currently injured and hasn't played for Liverpool this season

“He can put the ball through the eye of a needle in the tight matches we'll encounter in Russia.

“Lallana, like Wilshere, is another player who can unpick tight defences, so he's a shoe-in.”

Wilshere is not in the England squad for their final World Cup qualifier against Lithuania later today (5pm).

Nor is Lallana, who is currently nursing a thigh injury and is yet to play for Liverpool this season. 

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