Jack Wilshere: 'Arsenal must beat Fenerbahce'

By Kristian Johnson, Reporter | 18 August 2013

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere calls upon his teammates to beat Fenerbahce in their Champions League qualifier to ensure that "all the hard work" of last season is not wasted.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has called upon his teammates not to "waste all the hard work" of last season ahead of their Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce.

The Gunners beat Newcastle United 1-0 on the final day of the 2012-13 Premier League campaign to ensure Champions League qualification, but Arsene Wenger's side must overcome Fenerbahce to make the group stage of Europe's elite competition.

"We have the big Champions League qualifier coming up and we don't want to waste all the hard work we did last year," Wilshere told reporters. "We have got to be up for that and get into the Champions League."

The 21-year-old, who has struggled with a variety of injuries in his fledgling career, also said that he is hoping to stay fit for the entire season following long spells out of action in the past two campaigns.

"First and foremost I have to stay fit and make myself available – I want to be involved in the big games," he said.

"I have missed a lot of England games and I want to be involved in the big ones next month."

Wilshere has made 63 appearances for Arsenal since making his debut for the club in 2008.