Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere says he looks up to Cesc Fabregas, who also developed into a star under Arsene Wenger.

Jack Wilshere has revealed how he looked up to former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas, saying the midfielder showed him how to be a better player in the season the pair were together in north London.

Wilshere's rise to the senior Gunners' squad has been well documented, though hampered by injury. This season he is touted for big things as he gets back to full fitness, and Arsenal fans will certainly be pleased to know that the 21-year-old has been modelling his skills on Fabregas, the club captain whom Arsenal reluctantly sold to Barcelona two years ago.

He told Esquire Weekly: "The best player I ever played with is probably Cesc Fabregas.

"I only got to play with him for a year before he went back to Barcelona but I learnt so much from him - the way he knew what he was going to do with the ball before he got it and his passing - and he scored goals.

"Also, he grew up at Arsenal - he got into the first team at a young age, which is something I wanted to do."

Wilshere has improved rapidly at Arsenal since the midfielder recovered from an ankle injury that sidelined him for more than a season.

Many have predicted that he will be Arsenal's next big star, and it was a huge boost when he signed a new deal with the club, committing his long-term future to north London at the end of last year.

But Wenger has been clear about the need to continue to monitor the youngster, with England duty also beckoning and the 2014 World Cup just around the corner.