By Mike Allen
6 May 2011 16:23:00
Jack Wilshere, England(Getty Images)
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Arsene Wenger has contested the decision to call Jack Wilshere into the England Under 21 squad for this summer’s European Championships.
Wenger admits the decision lies with the FA but has questioned the repercussions it will have for the 19-year-old and his country.
The Frenchman told Sky Sports: “I personally believe it has not to be Jack Wilshere’s decision. It is the federation’s FA decision, and only the federation can master this decision, and the federation has to react in a responsible way.
“You cannot ask Jack Wilshere ‘do you want to play?’ and really think that he’ll say no. I don’t think that’s realistic.
“I’m happy that he wants to play every single game for his country. The question raised by him playing are the consequences for the country, for England.”
Despite Wenger’s objections to Wilshere’s call up, the Arsenal boss insists he will not be encouraging the player to withdraw from the squad.
“I would never say that,” he said.
“First of all I don’t feel I have the right to do that, I’m not English.
“I educate players to play for their country, if they can, but I would ask Fabio Capello to consider the consequences of a boy who is 19 years old and has played around 50 games at the end of the season, to play for the England first team and then a tournament on the back of this and what the consequences will be for the next season.”
Wilshere has enjoyed a phenomenal season for club and country and after breaking into the senior England side, his performances suggest he will remain there for many years to come.
Wenger has questioned the benefits of Wilshere participating in the tournament and has dismissed the comparisons to the youthful Germany team which shined at the 2010 World Cup, consisting of many players who won the previous European Under-21 Championship in 2009.
He continued: “I feel like the youth system is there to promote the players to play in the top senior team. Once they are in the top team it’s only after winning a tournament that can be helpful.
“I hear many times a comparison with the German players, but I find it completely inaccurate.
“First of all when the German players went to the tournament they had not played the number of games that Wilshere has played this season.
“Secondly, in Germany there is a massive winter break, just before the World Cup that allowed everybody to start after the break well rested, in February. So you cannot compare the two situations.”