Jack Wilshere has silenced his critics, claims Wenger

Arsene Wenger believes that Jack Wilshere has silenced his critics by inspiring a fightback against Manchester City.

The 22-year old reacted to Sergio Aguero’s opener by chipping Joe Hart before teeing up a sublime volley for Alexis Sanchez. Martin Demichelis later equalized with a late header but it was the heroics of Wilshere that caught the eyes of many.

‘The best place to answer critics is on the pitch,’ said Wenger, who was forced to defend the unimpressive Mesut Ozil once again.

‘That’s what Jack did, but I don’t believe we can explain his good performance through the criticism of Paul Scholes.

‘But you have to respond to critics when you’re in a public job. You have accept criticism, go on the pitch and show you have the talent.

‘The most important thing is to go show how good you are.

‘Jack finished with his right foot and chipped a goalkeeper who knows him well. I’m very happy with that way he finished.

‘He looked dangerous in the first half as well because he has found his pace again. I’m very happy.’

England Boss Roy Hodgson uses Wilshere in a more defensive role but Wenger believes his strengths lies in the attack.

‘Jack was always a boy who was at his most dangerous in the final third. That’s why I prefer him to play higher up the pitch,’ Wenger said.

‘One of his qualities is penetrating in the final third, but I’m not against him being defensive. He can do both because he is a good footballer.

‘For a long time he didn’t kick the ball well because of his ankle injury.

‘The big difference now is that he stays on the feet, whereas before for a while when he was not as confident to push on his ankle he would go down.

‘Now he has that solid aspect to the game he had before he was injured.’

When asked, Wishere stated that he is happy to play either role,

‘Naturally I want to go forward more. In Arsenal’s formation it’s nice to play forward and in the England one it’s different. I’m happy to play either way,’ Wilshere said.

This was his first goal since January and he admits that he needs to be more prolific.

‘I want to score more goals and my goal scoring record hasn’t been good enough,’ Wilshere added.

‘In the formation we play I should be scoring more goals. We play with one holding and two going forward and I’m the one who gets forward.

‘I’ve had a few chances already this season and I should be scoring more. Hopefully that will be one of many.’