Jack Wilshere hits back at 'hypocritical' Jamie Redknapp

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 05 September 2014

Jack Wilshere claims that Jamie Redknapp should be a little more empathetic toward his current form given both of their careers have suffered with injury.

Arsenal and England youngster Jack Wilshere has slammed Jamie Redknapp for not sympathising with him over his injuries woes.

The 22-year-old burst on to the scene in the 2010-11 campaign but a number of lengthy spells on the sidelines seem to have curtailed his progress in recent seasons.

Redknapp, who himself endured an injury-blighted career, has recently criticised the midfielder over his form, but Wilshere claims that he should be more empathetic toward his situation.

He told The Mirror: "With all due respect, I think Redknapp should have some sympathy and understanding. It's easy for someone to go on television and say: 'He should be doing this, he should be doing that'.

"But, if you look back, he was injured just as much as I was. Maybe more than I was. And he was never injured at my age as well, and it does take a lot of mental strength [to come back].

"So to hear people go on TV and say: 'He's got to be doing this or that,' I don't need that. I listen to people like the boss here, Gary Neville, people who talk a lot of sense and can help me with my game."

Wilshere has started two of Arsenal's three Premier League games this season.