Jack Wilshere admits that when he first started training with Arsenal’s senior squad, he took it for granted.

Speaking recently, Wilshere admitted that when he first joined Arsenal’s senior squad at the age of 16 and could train everyday without suffering problems, he did take it for granted. However, now that he’s 25 and has had to recover from numerous injuries, he believes he’s a lot stronger.

“When I first broke into the first team, even looking back when I was 16, you take things for granted,” he told Arsenal Player. “I was training every day and when you’re a 16-year-old, you can do that.

“As you get older your body changes, you pick up injuries, you have to be more careful with certain situations and it makes you stronger as well.  I’ve always loved playing football and that’s what I wanted to do.
 
“Of course there’s been times when it’s been tough, when you’re injured and you wake up in the morning, you think ‘Oh I’ve got to go to training, all the other lads are training, you’ve got to go to the gym’. That makes you stronger and it makes you appreciate it more and try and do everything you can to keep fit and keep on the pitch.”

The midfielder was just nine when he joined the Gunners’ academy. He was always playing ahead of his age group and made his first team debut in 2008 at the tender age of 16.

He was tipped to become one of the best midfielders in the world by none other than Barcelona’s Xavi. However, injuries severely hampered the young England international’s career.

jack wilshere v doncaster rovers
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Jack Wilshere of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Doncaster Rovers at Emirates Stadium on September 20, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Wilshere now has under a year left on his current deal with Arsenal and no one really knows whether he’ll be offered an extension or whether he even wants one.

So far, the midfielder’s made just three appearances for the Gunners this season after recovering from another hairline fracture to his fibula, which he suffered on loan at Bournemouth back in April.

Despite his lack of minutes, however, Wilshere’s been looking sharp. He’s impressed Gooners and has once again given fans a reason to be excited.

Perhaps he did take being fit for granted when he was young, I imagine most footballers do, but he certainly doesn’t now and it shows.