Jack Wilshere has spoken out about his new role in the England midfield. The 23-year-old made his first England start in seven months against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, featuring for little over an hour before being withdrawn.
“I have not played many games for Arsenal since coming back from injury and I have not played many games in my new role for England,” said the Arsenal midfielder in a news conference.
“So it was another game for me, it was a different test. It was against players that I know well and it was tough. But looking back, I felt I did OK.”
The England boss, formely manager of Liverpool, has introduced Wilshere into a new, deeper midfield role to accommodate and suit both England and the Arsenal midfielder.
“I gave the ball away a few times, which in that position you can’t really do because they are straight onto the defence.
“That is something I am learning. Maybe it is a discipline thing or something that will come naturally. I have mentioned before that I have watched the best players in that position in the world and that is something they are great at.
“It is another game for me and I will learn from it.”
The Englishman continued, stating: “I really enjoy playing in that position.
“Before the Switzerland game when the manager said he wanted me to play in that role and he saw it as the new position, I was a bit nervous,” admitted the FA Cup winner.
“It was our first big game since the World Cup and we lost a few big names in that position in midfield, so the whole team was nervous going into that game.
“Personally I was a bit nervous because it was a big position for the team. But since that game, I feel I’ve come a long way. I’ve learned a lot and I’m getting better every game.”
The midfielder missed a huge chunk of last season with Arsenal due to injury, and returned to fitness in late April but couldn’t quite make the starting XI for the FA Cup final.
“When I come back on 10 July, I’ve got to be ready to go, I’ve got to be fit and ready for a big season for me next year.”
Wilshere currently has 27 caps for his country and featured at the Euro 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
