Shere relief as Jack gets back in form

JACK WILSHERE reckons he is getting back to his best.

And his return to form and to Arsenal’s Premier League team could hardly have come at a better time.

Wilshere – who went on loan to Bournemouth last season – started the last three league games having been forced to settle for starts in the cup competitions before that.

He has become a first-choice for Arsene Wenger just after Arsenal put their Europa League campaign, where the bulk of Wilshere’s game-time has come, on the back burner and with a new contract on the agenda.

“I think I’m close to my best,” said the 25-year-old. “I think I’ve been getting better and better each game.

“Liverpool were probably the toughest opposition I have had this year and I felt good.

“I learned a lot last year about the defensive side of the game because when you play for a team like Bournemouth you don’t always have the ball and you need to be switched on defensively. “I feel like that has really benefitted me and I’m a better player for it. I feel a lot more sure defensively and confident that if I’m going into a challenge that I’m going to win the ball. I’m happy, and hopefully it can continue.”

Wilshere will today be aiming for a fourth successive start when the Gunners visit Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace.

Hodgson is a big Wilshere fan, viewed him as one of England’s most technically gifted players when he was Three Lions boss and only picked five players more times than the midfielder.

Wilshere said: “He was great for me, I owe him a lot because when he first became England manager I was injured for a year.

“I missed Euro 2012 and he put me straight back in the squad. I didn’t start in Sweden but he brought me on.

“I think it was the Brazil game I started and he stuck with me since then, so he was good for me.

“I missed eight months of football and he took me to the Euros in 2016, so I owe him.

“He was the first one who tried me as a defensive midfielder for England and I liked playing there and learnt a lot. So I have nothing but respect for him.

“He’s a good manager in my eyes and I am looking forward to seeing him – but I won’t be doing any favours.”