Martin Keown heaped praise on Jack Wilshere after the midfielder’s sharp performance against BATE Borisov on Thursday night.

Keown’s love-in with Jack continues after the 25-year-old put in another impressive display in the Europa League this week. In fact, the former Gunner reckons that out of the entire starting XI to face BATE Borisov, the midfielder is the only one that’s good enough to make Arsene Wenger’s Premier League first team.

“I’m a big admirer of his. I know it’s not great opposition [BATE] but look at his vision,” Keown told BT Sport 2.

“He’s the one player in this group who can break into that A team, so to speak. It’s the driving runs from midfield. 

“He’s convincing me now that he’s fitter now than he has been.

“He’s got everything in the locker. The movement, the deft touches.”

Jack was indeed fantastic for Arsenal on Thursday night. Not only did he score a pretty tidy goal but he assisted Mohamed Elneny’s in the 73rd minute.

In total, the England international put through five key passes and was the real driving force behind Arsenal’s attack.

Is he good enough to get into Wenger’s Premier League first team though? When he plays like he did against BATE, sure. He’s one of Arsenal’s most exciting midfielders when he’s switched on.

However, as he’s shown more than once this season, when he’s not on his game, there’s no way he’s good enough to replace Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez or Aaron Ramsey.

Jack could potentially be able to replace Granit Xhaka. However, you have to consider that the Switzerland international has been in the starting XI since the beginning of the season. Is throwing Jack into such a physical role straight away really a good idea? Especially as Wenger’s said he wants to play him in a more advanced position anyway.

I get what Keown’s saying but I don’t necessarily agree with it. At least not at the moment.