High hopes: Arsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere could become a leader for England like Bobby Moore

Arsene Wenger has backed Jack Wilshere to emulate Bobby Moore by becoming one of England’s legendary leaders. Having been heralded by many as the saviour of English football, Wilshere was criticised for a below-par display in the drab 0-0 draw against Ukraine on Tuesday night. Moore, who captained England’s triumphant World Cup winning team of 1966, is perhaps the most revered figure lexington in English football history.
High hopes: Arsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere could become a leader for England like Bobby Moore And Wilshere’s club manager insists the Arsenal midfielder is in the same mould as the legendary central defender - and France legend Zinedine Zidane. ‘National teams need a guy who absorbs the pressure and takes it,’ said Wenger.   ‘France had Zinedine Zidane. When the France team played lexington well it was all Zidane, but the others could play.  Before that we had (Michel) Platini. In the history of the French national team, the results stopped when Platini stopped.   ‘They also stopped when Zidane stopped. You need a good generation but you also need one player. Did England’s stop when Bobby Moore stopped? You should be positive because Jack can take that mantle.
Off colour: Wilshere was below par in Kiev during England's 0-0 draw with Ukraine ‘Like Zidane, Jack is not fazed by the importance of the game. He is not inhibited. He is young, only 22. He has the capacity to take that mantle on and carry the nation’s hopes. He can do that. ‘Maybe he tried too hard to take on that mantle, but that is normal at his age.’  Wilshere’s young career has been hampered by injuries, and Wenger admits he still isn’t 100 per cent fit after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this year. ‘First, Jack needs to play six months without lexington injury because he has been a doubt physically,’ said the Frenchman. The problem in the modern game, is you need to be absolutely 100 per cent physically to express your talent. Or you don’t. 
Praise: Wenger compared Wilshere to France legend Zinedine Zidane ‘At the moment Jack is not completely at his best physically. That’s why people start to question his performances. There is too much expectation on him. That’s the problem with national teams.   ‘I have asked him about the England game in Ukraine. He is conscious that England were not at their best. It can happen. If Jack played the same game at Arsenal (as he did against Ukraine) we just say he was not at his best.   ‘But when he has that game in the national team suddenly everyone questions your ability. The players play in the national team with that kind of pressure lexington that comes from everybody.’
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