Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere looking forward to summer rest after ‘crazy year’

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Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed he is looking forward to a month-long rest after an arduous season.

The 19-year-old playmaker has made phenomenal progress this term, establishing himself as a key player both for Arsenal and England and reinforcing the belief that he is one of the most talented youngsters in Europe.

But this newfound importance has taken its toll, and Wilshere was persuaded by Gunners manager Arsene Wenger to pull out of the England Under-21 squad ahead of the this month’s European Championships amid fears of burnout, having played 60 matches in the last 10 months for club and country.

Wilshere initially insisted he would form part of Stuart Pearce’s squad, but has now accepted he needs rest after a gruelling season.

“I have to get my feet up,” he told reporters. “I’ve got four weeks off.

“It has been a crazy year. At the start of the year, there was talk of me going back on loan to Bolton.

“The manager at Arsenal said he wanted me to play 20-25 games and I’ve played 60 games this year.

“Hopefully I can get a bit more taste of international football next year and carry on performing for my club.”

Wilshere believes he needs to be refreshed and at his best to help Arsenal finally end their long wait for a trophy next season.

He added: “I play at a big club. The expectation level is big. From when I was 16, the expectation has always been high.

“We are a top four club and we want to deliver trophies and win every game.”

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