• Premier League

Wilshere: Gerrard a real role model

Kevin Palmer
January 18, 2013
Jack Wilshere has impressed of late © PA Photos
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Jack Wilshere has admitted he aspires to reach the levels attained by Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard, responding to the claims of his boss Arsene Wenger that he is the complete midfielder.

Wilshere, 20, insists he still has a long way to go before he can be compared to the very best midfielders in the game, with his admiration of Gerrard evident in his praise of the Anfield hero.

"Steven is a great role model," Wilshere told the club's official website. "He has been the heartbeat of Liverpool for years. He has also been the stand-out performer for England as well. He is a great role model for me.

"He was someone I looked up to when I was younger. He has 100 caps for England. For any young midfielder he is someone to base your game on and try to be like him. If I can get anywhere near as good as him and drive the team forward like he does, then I will be happy."

After firing the winning goal in Wednesday's FA Cup third round win against Swansea, Wilshere is now targeting another victory in a crucial game for Arsenal against Chelsea on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

"Chelsea is a big game for us," he added. "We won there last year so we know we can do it. We have to take our game to them and play our football. We know they got great players, great individuals who can change the game, but we have as well.

"Chelsea don't like playing against us. We play football and so do they. If you can take the game to them, get in behind them, get Theo Walcott to use his pace and get Santi Cazorla in the holes, we can do well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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