Arsene Wenger’s plea over Jack Wilshere

Posted Saturday, May 07, 2011 by Express.co.uk

Arsene Wenger’s plea over Jack Wilshere
Pearce has named Wilshere in his provisional 40-man squad

ARSENE WENGER will go over the head of Stuart Pearce and make a last-ditch plea to Fabio Capello to order a rethink over Jack Wilshere’s involvement in the European Under-21 Championship.

Under-21 boss Pearce has named Wilshere in his provisional 40-man squad against the wishes of Arsenal manager Wenger and is set to also include him in the final 23-man party. Wenger has now spoken to Pearce and voiced his concerns, but will also contact England manager Capello in the hope that he pulls Wilshere out of the U 21 tournament because of his involvement with the seniors.

“I will talk to Fabio Capello,” said Wenger. “Indirectly, it is his issue as well because he will want to use Jack at the beginning of next season, as I will. I would ask him to consider the consequences of a 19-year-old boy who has played around 50 games by the end of the season, played for the first team and then a tournament on the back of it.”

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has also entered the debate after Andy Carroll’s call-up to the U 21s.
He believes Carroll’s development is more important than England winning a trophy.

“My idea of younger teams would be to develop players, rather than win tournaments,” said Dalglish.