Wilshere gunning for club glory

LONDON (AFP) – Jack Wilshere has insisted there is more to come after the Arsenal midfielder showed signs he is back to his best in England’s midweek international friendly win over Brazil.

Wilshere’s performance in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory at Wembley – England’s first win over five-times world champions Brazil in 23 years – drew widespread praise from team-mates and pundits alike.

Now the 21-year-old midfielder will look to help Arsenal take all three points away to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, as the visitors try to reclaim a place in the top four of the Premier League.

Wilshere spent 17 months on the sidelines with ankle and knee injuries but since returning to action in November has re-established himself as Arsenal’s most influential player.

The Times proclaimed Wilshere “more Brazilian than the Brazilians” after his latest England display but he maintained there was room for improvement.

Theo Walcott’s performance against Brazil will also have pleased Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as his side attempt to close the four-point gap on fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

But while Wilshere and Walcott offer promise going forward, the manager’s immediate priority is in defence with centre-back Laurent Koscielny suffering a calf problem in France’s friendly defeat by Germany and skipper Thomas Vermaelen struggling with an ankle problem.

Sebastien Squillaci and youngster Ignasi Miquel are on standby to partner Per Mertesacker in central defence while Nacho Monreal will again deputise for the injured Kieran Gibbs.