Wilshere – Theo Walcott is my role model

Posted on May 17, 2011 by admin

The newest Arsenal star Jack Wilshere was a bit of a hothead, and became just as famous for his nightclub antics as well as his football when he first burst on the scene at the beginning of this season, but he says he now realises that he made mistakes and has been learning to calm down his social life from Theo Walcott.

Walcott had fame thrust upon him from a very early age as well, but he has managed to stay out of the spotlight and tries to keep his private life as calm as possible and away from the prying eyes of nosey paparazzi, and Jack reckons there is no-one better qualified to advise him on how to cope with his newfound fame. Wilshere admits that his fame came as a bit of a surprise at first .

“It’s weird, definitely, and you have to be really careful,” he said. “Obviously I made mistakes when I was young, like most people, but I’ve had to grow up quickly.

“People are always watching and sometimes it makes me laugh. It’s a story in the papers if I get a tattoo or move house – I do find that really strange. It’s part and parcel of football now, you have to deal with it and be professional.

“If I could give any advice to young players now it would be to listen to what people tell you, and live your life off the pitch how you do on it – always be professional and live your life as a footballer.”

“I’m always chatting with Theo, he has been through it all – being in the World Cup squad, then left out – and he’s never put a foot wrong off the pitch, so he’s a great example.

“I can learn from him and he’s a good friend of mine now. We’ve got to know each other well over the last couple of years.

“Before people would tell you that you have to do this and that when you are a pro,” he continued, “but until you are actually there, experiencing it, you don’t realise what it means.

“You have to eat well, prepare well, rest well – it’s a 24/7 job – it’s not just about training and playing the games. Everything away from that is so important too. If you are not ready for every game then a top class player will take advantage of it.”

Jack certainly has come on leaps and bounds since his “nightclub incident” and he seems to better on and off the pitch……