Jack Wilshere says he’s grown up, moving on from some of the more controversial incidents earlier on in his career.

The 25-year-old has been in trouble with the Gunners and the police in the past for smoking and an altercation outside a London nightclub.

Then, earlier this season he was sent off for the u23s, after becoming frustrated at persistent fouling. However, Jack says he’s matured now, and is learning from his mistakes.

“Since I was 18, 19 you do a lot of growing up,” he told the Daily Star. “People say to you when you’re 21, 22 that you’ll grow up a lot in the next few years and you’re just like ‘Nah, no chance’.

“But then, when you look back, you were doing things at 21 that you wouldn’t think about doing now. So I think I’ve changed, I’ve grown up. I’ve got a wife, two kids and I’m getting older now.

“As you get older, you appreciate what you’ve got and your game time, your minutes and that you’re fit. Not just fit and playing, because I’m fit at the minute, and I’m not necessarily playing but I’m happy and I’m available for selection and that’s all you can ask for.

“There are going to be times in your career when you’re injured, you’re going to miss out on things and you have to use those moments and those hours in the gym as motivation for when you’re back to want to stay there.”

Wilshere may continue being frustrated in his pursuit for first-team football, however, as it isn’t guaranteed that he’ll slot straight back into the team in the Premier League. The 25-year-old has made eight appearances in all competitions this season, scoring and creating two goals.

Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka are currently first-choice in the engine room and are preferred by Arsene Wenger to the English international. But Wilshere’s performances in the Europa League and Carabao Cup could lead to more minutes in the top-flight.

As for how much he’s matured, Wilshere is certainly more determined than ever to stay at Arsenal, rather than throwing in the towel and being content with a subsidiary role.

The midfielder has a lot of work to do before he’s back regularly playing for club and country, but he looks up to the task, in my opinion. Arsenal fans wouldn’t want to take the fighting elements from his game either.