Arsene Wenger has revealed his dissatisfaction at Roy Hodgson’s decision to call up Jack Wilshere for their upcoming friendly fixture against Sweden, however he believes they have reached ‘an understanding and a good compromise’ over the extent of his involvement.
The Arsenal starlet has only just returned to the Gunners first team fold after a 14 month spell on the sidelines, and has completed one full 90 minutes since his comeback against QPR over two weeks ago. Wenger was adamant that it is too soon for him to be called up for the National team after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines and limited top level matches under his belt.
However it seems after a phone call between the two managers, they have reached common ground. Wenger revealed on Arsenal’s official website:
You know what I think [about Wilshere], that it is early for him.
I had Roy Hodgson on the phone, we found a good understanding and a good compromise. What helps is that he is not playing over the weekend because he is suspended, of course. He will have a little breather. Roy wants him in the group to connect the game with the players.
I don’t want to talk about that [the number of minutes Wilshere could play], Roy is in a better position to talk about that because he is the coach of the team and he can better explain how he will use the players. But it’s a friendly, of course.
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The ideal solution would be [that he wasn’t involved]. It is as it is. He has played three games now, and of the three games only one [has been a] full game.
He has been out for 17 months and it’s good to have a little break after three games. What we like is that he won’t play over the weekend so he will recover. I think he needs 10 days of good recovery.
Jack is generous on the football pitch – he gives 100 per cent. I feel physically, he is quite there – slowly he gets stronger in every game. That means his basic fitness is good.
Sometimes, you need, when you accumulate games, to have a little rest again and to build on that and to recover and then go even harder. For us, what is important to know, is to stop him before he gets to that point.
It is most definitely too soon for the midfielder to receive a call-up especially as he has literally just returned to full first team fitness. However you can see Hodgson’s point of view to include him in training and in the mix of the side.
Hopefully he will be used sparingly during the match and maybe just play the first half or a cameo late in the fixture. However if he picks up a knock Wenger will unleash hell on Roy, especially with the recent Diaby disaster who suffered a setback for the French side that ultimately led to his current long lay off.
But it may well be good for Jack to feel part of the England setup again and change up his routine which could either make or break his comeback. Fingers crossed he comes back injury free when he leaves for duty after this weekends fixture.
Jenkinson has also earned a call up to the England squad however he is waiting for FIFA clearance before he can win his first cap as he has represented Finland at different age levels. Congratulations to the youngster after a very promising start to his Arsenal career last season and some brilliant performances this term.
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