Football
ESPN staff 9y

Arsene Wenger: Arsenal's Jack Wilshere can be top-class if he stays fit

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will prove himself to be a top-class player if he can play for at least six months without injury.

Wilshere, 23, has seen his career disrupted by a succession of fitness problems since establishing himself in the first-team five years ago.

The England international made only 14 appearances in the Premier League last season and was ruled out for six months last season after undergoing ankle surgery in November.

"He's a top-class player with a top-class potential," Wenger said on the club's official website. "No matter how good you are in life, you need to have a consistent presence at the top.

"Today, what top-level sport doesn't suffer is to be in and out because it's too demanding physically [to stay in]. What you wish for Jack is that he can compete now for six months without any problem, or for a year without any problem, and then you will see the player we all know he is."

Bayern Munich midfielder Mario Gotze, meanwhile, has named Wilshere in his dream five-a-side team.

The Germany international selected Bayern teammate Rafinha, PSG centre-back Thiago Silva, Juventus star Paul Pogba, Barcelona's Andres Iniesta and Wilshere.

"I played against him in the Under-17 European Championship," Gotze said, referring to a 4-0 win over England in 2009 in which he scored the final goal.

The World Cup winner said Wilshere was "a fantastic player."

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