Wenger tips Wilshere for England recall after 'everybody had given up on him'

Arsene Wenger has claimed that 'everybody had given up' on Jack Wilshere during the Arsenal midfielder's 18-month absence from the England team.

The 26-year-old has not represented his country since featuring as a substitute in a shock defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016.

Until recently, Wilshere had been on the fringes of the Gunners first-team too, but his appearance in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Chelsea — which he marked with a fine second-half goal — was his sixth consecutive Premier League start.

Manager Wenger believes that Wilshere's impressive form since his comeback from fitness and injury problems will have come as a surprise to many.

'I think he is at the level now where not many people expected him to be,' Wenger told reporters at the Emirates Stadium.

'When was the last time he played for England? Exactly, against Iceland [at Euro 2016], he came on.

'Since he has not played for England and I would say that means that everybody had given up on him. Today, nobody would be surprised if he was selected again.

'So that means instances of us being criticised for that, I think first of all he deserves a great credit for remarkable strength and we do as well.'