Despite being one of the promising young talents in world football right now, Wilshere has made only eight appearances for the international team. This is due to the numerous injuries he has suffered in the past few years. In the season before last, he did not make any appearance for Arsenal at all. Last season, though, was better for the 20-year-old as he made 30 appearances in all competitions. He is not only returning to his former self, and he wants to leave the friendly match against Scotland without suffering any new injuries.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has always been against his players being called up for meaningless friendly matches, and the match against Scotland is exactly that. The match has little consequence on the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign, while the friendly will also miss out on the preparations for the new Premier league campaign, which will start during the weekend. Arsenal have a home match against Aston Villa and they will be looking to get off to a good start. Wilshere has said prior to the Scotland match that Wenger’s instructions were to not get injured.

This will definitely be on his mind when he steps out onto the pitch to win his ninth cap.

“Three days after this game the Premier League starts and every manager is selfish in that way. He wants his players fit and ready for Arsenal. The boss at Arsenal, he speaks to you before an England game, maybe he tries to calm you down, but I’m playing for England, he’s not going to stop me. His last words? ‘Come back fit’. I haven’t contributed anything to this qualifying campaign and I’m anxious to do so. We have four big ones coming up and I want to be involved in them,” said Wilshere.