Jack Wilshere: Arsenal midfielder delighted after being handed chance to prove fitness in high intensity clash

Jack Wilshere was delighted after playing close to 70 minutes for Arsenal during their 2-2 draw against Manchester City as he continues his comeback from a long-term injury absence. His appearance against the Etihad Stadium outfit was his second of the season after he made a 13-minute cameo against Sunderland at the end of April.

The England international's addition into the game, however, came at a cost as he replaced Danny Welbeck, who limped off midway through the first-half at the Etihad Stadium with a suspected knee injury. The striker, who only recently returned from a long-term layoff, is in danger of missing June's European Championship finals in France.

Wilshere is hoping to prove his fitness to England manager Roy Hodgson in a bid to convince the Three Lions manager to select him in his 23-man squad for this summer's tournament. The Gunners midfielder is of the belief that a high intensity game, such as the one with City on Sunday, will help him achieve full fitness before the end of the season.

The 24-year-old also believes the team showed good character to come back after going a goal down on two occasions, despite losing the added attacking threat of Welbeck.

"We lost a player early and it is tough to respond. City had a disappointing result midweek, but after going 2-1 down we showed good character to come back," Wilshere said in the aftermath of the 2-2 draw, as quoted by Arsenal's official site.

"He is an attacking player so you lose that little bit extra in the final third, so of course we missed him. It was nice for me as I got to get on the pitch, but when you lose a player of Danny's style, you are going to miss something."

"As a player, these are the games you want to be involved in. When the game started, I was watching it thinking it was high intensity and this is what I need. Lucky I got to come on and get 70-odd minutes under my belt, so I'm happy," the English midfielder added.