Jack Wilshere was happy to score against BATE Borisov, and expects to be fighting for an Arsenal place beyond the January window.
Wilshere scored Arsenal’s third goal in the 6-0 thrashing of BATE Borisov on Thursday night.
His overall performance was impressive yet again and was described by Arsene Wenger as “dominant”.
Wilshere was pleased to get on the scoresheet for the first time since May 2015, and that the team put in such a professional performance.
“On a personal note it’s nice to get on the scoresheet,” Wilshere told Arsenal.com.
“I was playing in a more central position and had a bit more license to get in the box and get off more shots.
“I enjoyed that role, but overall we knew that the match didn’t mean much, but it could have been one of those nights if we didn’t give it the right amount of focus, so we played some nice stuff, got some nice goals and are happy.”
With a glut of Premier League games to come this month, Wilshere will be hoping to get more minutes in the first team.
Some feel he deserves a run in the team due to his good form. Wilshere, though, has played up the quality of Arsenal’s squad and the form the first team has been in.
“This is Arsenal, we have top players and all I can do when I’m called upon in the Europa League and off the bench in the Premier League is give my all, but at the end of the day what matters is the team,” he said.
“The team have been on a good run, except at the weekend, but we’re confident in all of our players, that we can bounce back. We have a good squad here and it’s tough getting ahead of some of these players, so all I can do is try and do my best.”
Reports have linked Wilshere with a move away from Arsenal in the January transfer window in a bid to get more game time before the World Cup.
However, Wilshere has said that he expects to still be at Arsenal beyond January.
“I think so, but you have to ask the manager. It’s down to the manager and the club. I’ve said before how much this club means to me. I enjoy playing for this club, whether it’s in the Europa League, Premier League or Carabao Cup, and as you said I’ve only got six months left on my contract. But we’ll see, I’m enjoying playing at the moment.
“I’m always trying to make a statement. I’m not in the Premier League team, so I’m trying to get into that. Every game and chance I get is an opportunity for me to show the manager what I can do and hopefully I did that tonight.”
Wilshere has appeared in all six of Arsenal’s Europa League group stage matches, but has only appeared four times off the bench in the Premier League.
