Paul Scholes Blames Arsene Wenger for Jack Wilshere's Lack of Progress

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has blamed Arsene Wenger for Jack Wilshere's lack of progress after he burst on the scene as a teenage sensation for Arsenal.

The Gunners midfielder, made his first-team debut for Arsenal aged 16 and was tipped for great things by the manager and pundits alike, but has since seen his career graph take a slight dip following a spate of injuries and lack of regular football.

The England international has come in for a barrage of criticism recently with former players questioning his ability to become the great midfielder everyone had tipped him to be.

Scholes, who had criticised Wilshere early on in the summer, believes his Arsenal manager should take part of the blame for his lack of progress as a footballer.

"Has has to be blamed, he's the manager. I don't know how much work he does with him, but I'm not sure he does enough," Scholes said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

"He has fallen so far behind Aaron Ramsey. They're trying to find a position for him and I don't know what it is."

Ahead of Arsenal's match with Manchester City on Saturday, the 39-year-old former Three Lions midfielder was unsure of Wilshere's best position in the team. He also feels that Wilshere should keep his game simple rather than 'force the play'.

"I don't really know. Is he a holding midfield player or an attacking player? I think he's confused," the former United midfielder said.

'I think he's a frustrated figure at the moment. He's trying to force the play. He needs to simplify his game," the Englishman added.

However, the former midfielder, who is currently a TV pundit was left red-faced after Wilshere put in a man-of-the-match performance against the Premier League champions. But Scholes did give credit where it was due and praised the midfielder for a job well done.

"It shows he's an attacking midfielder capable of doing it at the highest level. It's still early in the season, time will tell.

What he has done is made a great start to the season, now he's got the base to go on and have a good season," Scholes concluded.