Wilshere 'lost focus' after arrest

Jim van Wijk
Tuesday 07 September 2010 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Stuart Pearce, the England Under-21 manager, feels Jack Wilshere is fully focused on football again – but cannot guarantee the young Arsenal midfielder a place in the side for tonight's crucial European Championship qualifier against Lithuania at Colchester United's Weston Homes Community Stadium. Wilshere was left on the bench in Portugal for the 1-0 win on Friday, with Pearce suggesting the 18-year-old had "taken his eye off the ball" after he was arrested and bailed in the wake of a late-night fracas in South Kensington.

Pearce, though, maintains the midfielder is back on his game but said there were no guarantees on his team selection for a match his side must win to stand any chance of making the play-offs.

"I have seen a touch more focus [from Wilshere]," Pearce said. "Leading into the Portugal game, he was swapping phone calls with his agent and one to two other people in regards to paper articles which were going on. We just did not feel it was right to start him in Portugal. Since then we think his focus has been much better."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in