Wenger sure Wilshere will succeed at Arsenal
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger has tipped England youth international Jack Wilshere for the top after the 17-year-old, already the club's youngest ever player, signed a three-year professional contract.
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Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger has tipped Jack Wilshere for the top after the 17-year-old signed his first professional contract with the club.
Three-year deal
Wilshere, who turned 17 on 1 January, had a memorable 2008 in which he became Arsenal's youngest ever player in the league and UEFA club competition, and on Saturday set a similar record in the FA Cup against Plymouth Argyle FC before putting pen to paper on a deal that runs until 2012. Having joined the senior squad in the summer with impressive friendly performances against VfB Stuttgart, Juventus and Real Madrid CF, he made his Premier League debut at Blackburn Rovers FC on 30 September.
International recognition
After starting and scoring in a League Cup tie against Sheffield United FC ten days later Wilshere appeared in the UEFA Champions League at home to FC Dynamo Kyiv on 25 November. He has been on Arsenal's books since he was nine years old and has also gained international recognition, helping England through to the 2008/09 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite round in which they will aim for a place in May's finals in Germany.
Wenger praise
Wenger said: "We are delighted that Jack has signed a professional contract with us. He has great potential, with an ability to find the final ball and score goals. Jack is a passionate and committed young player, he is not afraid of tackles and I am convinced he will have tremendous penetrative power in a few years. We have already seen Jack's qualities in both his first-team performances and in training on a regular basis, and we look forward to Jack being an important part of our first team for years to come."
