'I want to wear the armband for this club' - Jack Wilshere dreams of Arsenal captaincy

 
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20 November 2013

Jack Wilshere may have a fight on his hands to hold down a regular first team spot at Arsenal these days but that has not stopped the midfielder dreaming of one day becoming club captain.

The 21-year-old was a second half substitute in the Gunners’ last outing at Manchester United amid concerns he is still searching for optimum fitness and form following a difficult spell through injury.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has often stated his bemusement at English football’s fascination with the concept of captaincy but it will not have gone unnoticed at Emirates Stadium that recent players to wear the armband have ended up forcing their way out of the club with Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie the most recent examples.

With current skipper Thomas Vermaelen unable to find a spot in the starting line-up, Mikel Arteta has assumed that that responsibility but it is one Wilshere hopes he is soon ready to acquire given he has been a Gunner since the age of nine.

“I've grown up at this club and I have captained the club at under-16 level, under-18 level and last season as well I got the armband for 20 minutes or so [against West Ham in January] which was a nice feeling. I want to do that [be a leader] for this club,” said Wilshere.

“From the team that I first broke into a lot of them have gone so I'm one of the few who's been around, there's Bac [Sagna] as well but I'm one of the only midfielders who has been around for a while.

“Mikel [Arteta] came in, he was the captain at Everton and he's the vice-captain here and you can tell by the way he is off the pitch, even when he was injured he was in the dressing room and giving us support. I do feel a bit of responsibility but I have players around to help me.”

The Premier League returns on Saturday with Arsenal looking to maintain their two-point lead at the top with victory over Southampton and Wilshere says spirits are high.

“At the moment I would probably say it's the best atmosphere I've ever experienced in the dressing room,” added Wilshere.

“There are some real characters in there, some funny guys and some serious guys, there are professional guys who want to get things done and don't like people being late, so everyone's disciplined.”

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