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Wilshere tells Gunners to surround referees

Robin van Persie has been leading the charge for Arsenal © PA Photos

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Jack Wilshere has urged his Arsenal team-mates to copy Manchester United by harassing referees more in order to gain an upper hand in next year's Premier League title race.

Wilshere admits it will be a "100 per cent disaster" if Arsenal do not pick up a piece of silverware in the 2011-12 campaign, having thrown away multiple opportunities to break their six-year drought this season.

The 19-year-old is currently preparing for England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley on Saturday, after pulling out of the U21 European Championships due to fatigue.

Despite playing almost 50 games for his club this season, Wilshere does not blame physical or mental problems for Arsenal's disastrous end to the season, instead preferring to highlight United's treatment of referees as the area where the Gunners can improve.

"It's no use just Robin van Persie going because it looks like it's just him having a go at the ref. If we all get round him..." Wilshere began.

"You just see the other teams do it and you think 'we need to do it as well'. Man United are the best at it. They get round the referee.

"We have to be more of a team and be more aggressive and show more authority."

Arsenal face a fight to keep their top stars this summer, with Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol recently commenting that he is almost certain Cesc Fabregas will arrive at the Nou Camp before the end of the summer. Wilshere admits the Gunners are in dangerous territory, and trophies are the only answer.

"It will be a 100 per cent disaster if we don't win a trophy next season," said Wilshere. "We know that. The fans feel it. We feel it. We just need to win a trophy.

"Arsenal are a big club and we need to be winning trophies. We need to win them to keep our big players. We must be more aware and have a bit more aggression. We've got some players that can do that but we have to go as a team."

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