Arsenal Star Wilshere Says He Strives To Emulate Javier Mascherano

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed he is watching videos of both former Liverpool star Javier Mascherano and Italian legend Andrea Pirlo in order to emulate the pair in his new deeper role.

The 22-year-old star usually features in a playmaker role under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal but Roy Hogson deployed him just in front of England's defence during the 2-0 victory over Switzerland to fill the vacant position left by former captain Steven Gerrard

"I spoke with the manager and Gary Neville in the week and they told me they wanted me to play that role and I quite enjoyed it," Whilsere was quoted as saying by The FA official website.

"It was my first time ever playing there, so over the next month or so I am going to look at a few videos of this game and of players who play in that position regularly - Pirlo, Mascherano and players like that and I'll get better.

"I felt it went well tonight but next time we meet up I feel it can only go better."

Meanwhile, the midfielder lavished praised on his new Arsenal team-mate Danny Welbeck after the former Manchester United forward scored both goals on Monday night.

"You could see Danny's hunger. He really enjoys playing up front. He hasn't had much opportunity over the past few years and you could tell that tonight he really wanted to prove a point.

"Once he gets in front of goal, he is as good as they get. He doesn't get enough credit, for me, for his technical ability. He is fantastic and he showed that tonight.

While speaking about the result, he said: "We didn't surprise ourselves. I know a few people have been saying a few things but we believed in ourselves and we showed that tonight.

"We knew the longer the second-half went on at 0-0, they weren't going to be happy, the fans weren't going to be happy and we used that. We won the ball back in a dangerous position and we used our pace. We got the goal and we knew again they were going to come out. We had to stay together, defend well and we did that so we are happy."