Arsene Wenger: 'Jack Wilshere can play a Zinedine Zidane role for England'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that Jack Wilshere has the capacity to replicate a similar role for England, as Legend Zinedine Zidane did during his time with France.

The French Legend was a part of a 'golden generation' for France, as they won the 1998 World Cup and the European Championships two years later and Wenger believes that the talented English midfielder has what it takes to match the credentials of Zinedine Zidane.

The 21-year-old was highly criticised by the media following his poor show against the Ukrainian national side earlier this week.


However, Wenger believes that Wilshere would develop his mental strength to absolve any kind of criticism that comes his way and one day earn a chance to lead the national side back to its glory days.

Wenger told PA : "If Jack Wilshere has the same game at Arsenal we just say 'okay, today he was not at his best' - but when he has that game in the national team suddenly everyone questions your ability. The players find it a bit more difficult to handle [things] in the national team with that kind of mental pressure which comes from everybody," 

"National teams need always a guy who absorbs this type of pressure and takes it, we [France] had Zidane - when the France team played well it was all Zidane, but [that meant] the others could play. You need a good generation, but as well also need one player.

"Be positive. Jack can take that [role]. He is young, only 22 [in January]. He has the capacity to do that, but he needs to play six months without any problem."

Wilshere is lined up to start along with club record signing Mesut Ozil when the Gunners faceoff against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light today.