Jack Wilshere has stated on talkSPORT that Mark Noble remains the best captain he has ever played with following their time together at West Ham United after his Arsenal exit.
The Irons provided Wilshere the chance to stay in London after Unai Emery opted against handing him a new contract in 2018. The Spaniard also made it clear he would not afford the midfielder regular game time had he strived to remain at the Emirates Stadium.
Wilshere’s London Stadium career only lasted two-years before the Hammers terminated his £100k-a-week contract, however. He continued to suffer with frequent injuries during his time in claret-and-blue, with the 34-cap England international only playing 19 games.
Noble only featured in seven of Wilshere’s outings before West Ham cut his contract short a year early. They also only combined for three wins in 243-minutes on the pitch together.
Wilshere makes big Noble captaincy claim after West Ham spell
But Noble left a big impression on Wilshere while the 30-year-old free-agent plied his trade at West Ham. The two-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal continues to rank the 34-year-old as the best captain he’s played with, including over former Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas.
“I’d go as far as saying he’s the best captain I’ve had,” Wilshere said. “Cesc was probably the best player. But even now, I’d pick up the phone to Nobes and I’d talk to him and ask for advice. He’s like a big brother.
“What Nobes gets right is that balance, he’s everyone’s friend. He’ll talk to everyone and I mean everyone, the staff around the training ground. But when something needs to be said, he’ll say it.
“In training, if you’re not doing it right – like you will be chatting to him before training, thinking you’re best mates – if you’re not on it in training, he’s on you. Then you get off the training pitch and all is forgiven really.”
Wilshere played 32 games for Arsenal with Fabregas before the Spaniard joined Barcelona for £35m in 2011. They also featured for 1,851-minutes together over a three-year period.
Frank Lampard, John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney also held the armband for England during Wilshere’s international career. While Bournemouth heroes Simon Francis and Steve Cook captained the Cherries during the midfielder’s two spells at Dean Court.
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