Theo Walcott - Jack can make the fans happy

According to Theo Walcott, Emirates Stadium will be filled with smiling faces if Jack Wilshere can establish himself in the Arsenal first team.

There are similarities between Wilshere’s rise to prominence and Walcott’s own path to success. The England international also burst onto the scene as a 16 year-old and he believes that Wilshere has the ability to be a firm favourite with the fans.

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“He’s a really nice lad,” Walcott told the official matchday programme. “For a little lad he’s very strong, he’s got a good left foot and his link-up play and reading of the game is fantastic.

“He makes it look so easy when he plays and every time he gets the ball and does something he brings a smile to your face.”

Wilshere completed 90 minutes for the Reserves as they were beaten 3-2 by their Chelsea counterparts at Underhill on Monday night. Walcott expects his fellow teenager to feature in the first team at some point but, having trodden a similar path himself, he knows that Wilshere will need a rest too.

“I’m sure he’ll get a chance or two this season, he’s still young so he’ll want to play, but he will need rest as well.”

“It's nice to have another English face in the changing room though, especially after Justin [Hoyte] left. I was sad to see Justin go, but with Jack and Aaron Ramsey here too, there are a few Brits in the squad.”

This interview first appeared in the official matchday programme. You can subscribe by calling 08700 20 20 20.