Wilshere ‘out of position’

– Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere (above) was excluded from the England squad as he plays in the wrong position for the Premier League club, the Three Lions’ manager Gareth Southgate said ahead of last night’s clash with Germany.

Wilshere has won 34 caps for England, including in the 2014 World Cup, but has not featured for Southgate’s side since they were eliminated from the 2016 European Championships.

The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Bournemouth before sustaining a season-ending injury in April but has returned to the Arsenal starting line-up during their Europa League fixtures this campaign.

“Jack played as a number 10 all of last season,” Southgate told reporters. “That is not the way we are playing. When we have played with a 10, we have had Dele (Alli) and (Adam) Lallana.

“I don’t think Jack is a 10. I think he is a deeper player, but he is not playing deeper.

“But I want to be clear: I really like Jack Wilshere as a player. I think he is a talent and I respect him as an individual. And I’m hoping we are in a position in March where we can pick him.”

Wilshere, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has scored twice in eight appearances for Arsenal but is yet to start in the Premier League.

The playmaker expressed his love for the London club, saying he would like to extend his 10-year stay at the Emirates and fight for his spot in the starting XI.

“I’ve been here 10 years, I love this club and feel like I have a special relationship with the fans,” Wilshere told Standard Sport.

“At the moment I’m concentrating on getting into the Premier League team.” –