‘Jack Wilshere won’t play a single minute at the World Cup,’ says Pearce

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Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been the subject of some very interesting comments from a former England international.

Former player Stuart Pearce believes Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere will not play a single minute for the Three Lions at the World Cup.

Speaking to Talk Sport, the former left-back said he felt Wilshere had been off the pace for some time and would make no impact in Brazil.

“I think there are five players that will not kick a ball at the World Cup,” Pearce said.

“Forster and Foster are the obvious ones and I think Shaw, Smalling and Wilshere will be the others.

“I just feel his (Wilshere’s) lack of form (will cost him) and that will be on Roy’s mind. He had a very disappointing last game and he has not shown me the fully fit Wilshere we saw when he came on the scene.”

It is a bold statement considering that when the Arsenal midfielder first came to prominence he was hailed as a future England superstar. But last season was one to forget for the 22-year-old.

A look at the player’s form for Arsenal last season tells a similar story, with Wilshere averaging just 0.13 goals per appearance and just 0.17 assists per appearance. For a player with a cute eye for a pass, he only managed an average of 1.38 key passes per league game.

He also struggled in a more defensive role, making just 0.42 interceptions and 1.13 tackles per league game, although he did find a teammate with the vast majority of his passes

There was a time midway through last season when Wilshere looked to be returning to his best, scoring one goal and setting up another three in the space of three consecutive matches against Cardiff City, Aston Villa and Fulham.

But following his injury blow and subsequent poor form, he will struggle to get into Roy Hodgson’s starting XI given the talent he is competing with.

But to not get a single minute? Surely that is a little harsh.