Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger cites his experience in nurturing young players as he argues against involvement of Jack Wilshere in U-21 Championship

Jack Wilshere – Arsenal, (Getty Images)

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims Jack Wilshere should not play for England in this summer’s Under-21 European Championships.

Wenger believes that if his outstanding young midfielder plays this summer it will affect his future.

“Nobody has brought more young players out than I have and I have a good experience of what kind of stages they go through,” Wenger told The Daily Mail.

“Experience helps you only to anticipate problems, it doesn’t make you more intelligent. You know this car will hit the wall at some stage and you see it a little bit earlier than somebody who has less experience.

“I have met players at World Cups who have played more than 60 games in a season before the World Cup had started and they’ve said to me, ‘Boss, I am dead’.

“You prepare for a European Championship a year before. You do not prepare in May or in June before the competition.

“A lot happened last week that defied common sense.”

Wenger has also argued that since Wilshere is now an established member of the England senior team, his involvement in the under-age tournament is unlikely to advance his development.

Wilshere himself had previously stated that he would like to play in the European U-21 championship finals in Denmark, though Wenger’s comments could persuade the 19-year-old to rest this summer.