Football News
Wenger tips Wilshere to be the next Bergkamp
Arsene Wenger is tipping teenage sensation Jack Wilshere to become the new Dennis Bergkamp at Arsenal. Wilshere, just 16, is regarded as one of the best young talents in the English game and became the youngest player to represent Arsenal in the Champions League against Dynamo Kiev in November.
Wenger believes Wilshere has all the attributes to compete at the highest level and thinks he can follow in the footsteps of the Dutch master who was idolised by the Arsenal fans during his magical 11-year spell in north London.
Wilshere has so far played on the right side of midfield, but the Arsenal boss is convinced he will eventually succeed Bergkamp and feature in the middle of the park.
Wenger said: "I believe he will end up a central midfielder, just off the striker in the Bergkamp role.
"I am convinced he will have tremendous penetrative power and we forget that this boy is only 16 and already has so much power - you give him four more years and he will be massively strong.
"He can find the final ball and can also score goals. He is a passionate and committed guy, he is not afraid of tackles and you would want this type of player to finish off central.
"I would not like to put too much pressure on Jack because of the expectation level. That is one of the problems you have when you are talented and very young - Theo Walcott went through that.
"At the start there is a lot of enthusiasm around players, and suddenly afterwards people say 'Oh he is not as good as we thought he would be' - there is a lot of scepticism around the player. He has to survive at the top level and it is not easy.
"Theo coped well with that and I am confident we can surround Jack well enough to deal with it."