Arsene Wenger is a big fan of Jack Wilshere but I’m not sure any of us realised just how much he rates the midfielder – until now.

Speaking during his punditry duties with beIN Sports, the former Arsenal manager said, “Jack Wilshere is a playmaker a guy who is a bit of a Messi type.

“He makes me think about Mbappe because I played him at 17 years of age because he was an exceptional talent.

“Unfortunately he has been stopped early by big injuries around his ankle. I believe now he comes out of it and is an exceptional footballer.”

While it might have been acceptable to list Wilshere’s potential as ‘exceptional’ back when he first broke through at Arsenal, it seems rather ridiculous to do it now. Injuries have, of course, impacted him severely and it is unlikely he will ever be able to reach the heights he seemed destined for.

Unable to get a guarantee of playing time with Arsenal, Wilshere looks like he could well be heading to Turkey to reignite his career.

Given he’s still only 26, a move to Fenerbahce could work out well for Jack.

It’s unlikely, however, that he will be troubling Lionel Messi’s records anytime in this lifetime.

Or Mbappe’s.