Jack Wilshere: I can't just keep training with the Under-21s at Arsenal

JACK WILSHERE says he cannot replicate the match-day experience by playing for Arsenal's Under-21s team as he continues his rehabilitation from injury.

Jack Wilshere at Arsenal trainingGETTY

Jack Wilshere has made just 22 appearances for Arsenal and England this season

The England midfielder has been dogged by an ankle problem since November but is on the road to recovery.

He has played a number of reserve game, notably against the Under-21s of FA Cup semi-final opponents Reading and against Brentford the week previous, and is set to make his comeback before the season ends in May.

But the 23-year-old insists he needs to get back into full training and matches in order to truly build his fitness.

"Training (at Arsenal) with the quality and intensity, that is what I need coming back from injury," he said.

"You can play as much as you want in the Under-21s, but you cannot get that intensity of the Premier League. In training here, the little eight-a-side and keep balls is top level, and that is what I need. 

"Everyone looks forward to the training sessions, it is short and sharp, everyone is fighting for a position in the team and you can really tell that."

Wenger on Wilshere: He is very professional [AMBIENT]

Arsenal sit second in the Premier League table and look set to secure another season of Champions League football.

They are also into the semi-final of the FA Cup, which they won last year, and Wilshere revealed he puts their recent success down to an influx of talented players.

"We have added real quality, world-class players to the squad and the main thing here is the team ethic," he said.

"You can see that we have a great atmosphere around, everyone wants to work for one another and we go into every game knowing we can create chances if we stay strong defensively and win the ball higher up."

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