Wilshere braced for ‘big season’

Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere admits”it is time to deliver” amid criticism that he has so far failed to fulfil his potential. Wilshere burst onto the scene in 2008 but injuries have curtailed his development, with the 22-year-old managing just 88 Premier League appearances in six years. The 2013-14 season was no different for Wilshere, who suffered a foot injury in an international friendly against Denmark in March that hampered his preparation for the World Cup in Brazil. The Arsenal man’soff-field behaviour has also been brought into question after he was pictured smoking for a second time during his pre-season holiday in Las Vegas this year. Speaking ahead of Monday’s opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley, Wilshere conceded he has to start performing consistently. “There’s no point in me saying ‘I’ve got another year to develop’,” said Wilshere. “I’m 22 now. Look at Germany. Mario Gotze won the World Cup for Germany and he’s 22, he’s my age. It is time to deliver. “It is an important season for me, a big season, not just for my country but my club as well.I’ve had a good pre-season, the first time in three or four years where I’ve managed to do every single session. “I’ve stayed away from injury, trained here every day. I’m fit and in the gym. It’s a big season for me.” Wilshere also hit back at former England international Jamie Redknapp, who criticised the Arsenal midfielder for not performing. “He was injured just as much as I was,” the 22-year-oldadded.”Maybe more than I was. He was never injured at my age and it does take a lot of mental strength. “So to hear people go on TV and say: ‘He’s got to be doing this or that’. I don’t need that. “It disappoints me. It’s easy to go on TV and say: ‘He’s got to do this or that’ or ‘if he’s not fit, he’s not in the starting line-up and he’s got to get fitter’. “That’s the easy way out. I’ll take criticism. I know that’s part and parcel of football. But when it’s just reckless and aggressive, I don’t listen.”What are you waiting for? Sign up for UEFA’s European Qualifiers Fantasy Football and Predictor now.