Wilshere : City fans insulted my kids

Jack Wilshere says he directed an offensive gesture at a group of Manchester City fans as a response to being abused about his children.

Wilshere was handed a two-match suspension by the Football Association for making the gesture during the second half of Arsenal's 6-3 defeat at the hands of City at the Eithad Stadium.

The punishment sidelined him for Monday's goalless draw with Chelsea and will keep him out of the Gunners' Boxing Day clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

On Tuesday Wilshere explained his actions on Twitter and admitted he may have to be prepared to suffer similar attacks from the stands in future.

"Gutted not to be Involved last night! Shouldn't of [sic] reacted the way I did but I know all you dads out there love your kids the way I do....," he wrote.
"Suppose I will just have to take the abuse about my kids in future......anyway, one more game to go! Can't wait to be back! #AFC"

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Dyke: Wilshere has got to learn

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has criticised “hot-headed” Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere and says the England international must learn to cope with abusive fans.

The 21-year-old incurred a two-game ban as a result of an offensive gesture aimed at Manchester City fans during his side’s crushing 6-3 defeat against Manuel Pellegrini’s side last weekend.

Wilshere is set to miss Monday’s clash with fellow Premier League high-flyers Chelsea and the Boxing Day trip to West Ham and Dyke fears one of England’s brightest talents will miss more high-profile matches unless he learns to curb his temper.

Dyke told talkSPORT: “As a supporter I sympathise with the players because of the flak they get from the crowd. People can lose their cool very quickly but [Wilshere] has got to learn.

“He’s very well paid to play the game and he’s got to learn to cope with it.

“You think back over many years of players who were hot-headed when they were younger, but not when they get older. They just learn and mature. That’s what happens. It’s part of life.”

Having led the Premier League for the majority of the season, Arsenal could head into Monday's meeting with Jose Mourinho's Chelsea as low as third in the table should Liverpool beat Cardiff and Manchester City win away at Fulham.

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Wilshere hits out at critics

Jack Wilshere has called for patience from his critics, adding that he is paying the price for an early rise through the ranks at Arsenal.

The midfielder made his first-team debut for the Gunners aged just 16, but a succession of injuries have hampered his progress at both domestic and international level.

And Wilshere, who has struggled for consistency since returning from a 17-month lay-off a year ago, feels those questioning his ability must take into account that he is still learning his trade.

"Yes, I do think [people forget my age]," Wilshere told the club's official website. "Not just because I've been around for a long time, but people hear I've got two kids and it's not often you hear about a 21-year-old with two kids.

"I have been in the [Arsenal] first team since I was 16, so that is five years and that is quite a long time in football terms.

"I made my debut when I was 16 and the aim was to play for England and it came pretty quickly - when I was 18. Then the main thing after that was to keep my place in the Arsenal team week in, week out and I did during that season.

"I then had a frustrating year with injury and it is tough when you are out injured, you have got to come back. People think that when you are out injured you don't do a lot of work, but you do, trust me."

Wilshere admits his continued rehabilitation from injury has been a struggle and he expects those to point out when he has played poorly, but feels his ability to play against far more experienced professionals must be noted.

He continued: "It is tough, but last season I got back into the team, got fit again and had 30-odd games which was nice, and this year I have stayed fit so far and that's the aim for the rest of season.

"People are always going to criticise you and judge your performances all the time. They are paid to do that, so you have to concentrate on your own game.

"I play week in, week out against 31- and 32-year-olds, so I think you just have to take that [into account]."

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