Jack Wilshere says his kids have helped him massively in his rehabilitation from a hairline fibula fracture suffered on the eve of the 2015/16 season.
The heartbreaking injury happened in training the day before the Community Shield match against Chelsea.
The England midfielder’s career has been cruelly curtailed by injuries during his early years so far but said this was the hardest injury to take having scored two great goals for England over the summer and enjoyed a good pre-season with the Gunners.
Being sidelined for 3 months is mentally tough but the 23-year-old said his kids have been the motivation in his recovery.
It does help [having his kids to go home to].
You’re working longer days when you’re injured than when you’re fit but when you go home, get in the door, and they tell you they’ve missed you it does make it all worth it.
Wilshere is said to be close to a return but doesn’t want to pinpoint a game he will be back in case of a setback.
Aaron Ramsey recently became a dad for the first time and Wilshere said fatherhood made him grow up at a young age.
It makes you grow up a lot. I can’t remember much of my life before I had kids but what I do remember is playing football, going home, playing on the Playstation and doing anything I wanted.
It’s strange because I was out for a year when I had Archie and then when I finally came back he was running around and playing football himself. It does make you grow up and want to go out on the pitch to do them proud.
It makes you grow up as a person and put other people first. There’s nothing more important than your kids.
