Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has thanked former team-mates Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri for helping him settle into the first team and for guiding him in the right direction, and is hopeful that he can help Alex Iwobi in the same way.
The 24-year-old has not featured for the first team this season due to a fracture in his left leg, suffered in training before the Gunners’ Community Shield showdown against Chelsea in the August of 2015.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the English international is not far away from returning to full fitness and should be available for selection in a few weeks.
Iwobi has had a breakthrough season this year, with the 19-year-old making his first team debut in the 3-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday on 27th October 2015.
Following his debut, the Nigerian international has managed to make eight more appearances for Wenger’s side, most of them as a substitute.
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Wilshere revealed that when he first broke into the first team, Fabregas and Nasri helped him settle and told him to keep his head up when he was not playing.
The Arsenal No. 10 has vowed to help Iwobi and steer him in the right direction.
Speaking in an interview with Arsenal Weekly Podcast, Wilshere said: “When I first came in, players like Cesc and Samir Nasri were great with me.
“They put their arm around me and told me how to act.
“If I didn’t play then I would be upset, but they would tell me that I was young and that I would play in the end.
“I look back to then and, if I can be like they were for Alex, then I will do that.
“I don’t like to call it mentoring because Alex is 19 so he’s not a kid, but I know what it’s like for him because I’ve been there.
“You almost feel a little bit of responsibility, not to mentor him, but to steer him in the right direction.”
Wilshere will be looking forward to returning to full fitness and helping his side in their quest for a first Premier League title in 12 years.
