Wenger: Jack can't save England

Posted Friday, March 29, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned England must not rest their hopes of World Cup qualification at the feet of Jack Wilshere alone.

The Gunners midfielder is currently recovering from an ankle problem which has ruled him out since the defeat at Tottenham on March 3, meaning he missed both Arsenal's Champions League win in Bayern Munich as well as both of England's games against San Marino and Montenegro.

England failed to hold on to their lead in the second qualifier in Podgorica on Tuesday night, as the hosts fought back to draw and remain in charge at the top of Group H on the road towards Brazil 2014.

Some have suggested Roy Hodgson's side lack the dynamic influence of Wilshere in midfield, the 21-year-old having impressed against Brazil at Wembley in February.

Wenger, though, maintains no one man can be expected to be key to the hopes of any side.

"The country doesn't depend one player, no matter how good he is," said the Arsenal manager, who must also do without forward Theo Walcott against Reading this weekend after he returned home early from international duty with a pelvic injury.

"I believe what is the quality of a country is the number of good players they have.

"Jack is a fantastic player, but it would be too much pressure on him to say England's future depends on him.

"The other night, (David) Silva didn't play for Spain in France and on the bench you had (Juan) Mata, (Santi) Cazorla, (Cesc) Fabregas and that is what you want to see from big football countries: that it doesn't depend just on one player."