‘We have to decide what is right for the player’ says Arsene Wenger over club versus country row

ARSENE Wenger has attempted to calm a potential disagreement between the FA and Arsenal over Jack Wilshere’s participation at national level this summer.

The 19-year-old midfielder has made it clear that he wants to be considered for the England squad that will head to the Under-21 European Championship finals being held in Denmark in June.

That tournament starts on June 11, just a week after the senior England team’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley on June 4.

Barring injury, Wilshere is certain to be in Fabio Capello’s squad for that match too, and with the Under-21 tournament not set to finish until June 25, any extended break for the player in the close-season is now looking unlikely.

“There has been some talk about his possible participation for the under-21s this summer, but I have to say that it is not a concern,” said Wenger.

“Firstly, I’d be more disappointed if a player didn’t want to play than if he did – it’s a good sign that he wants to be involved. He is a young player of 19 and loves football so that is positive.

“We have to decide what is right for the player, because that is the most important thing. It has to be sorted out between the FA and Arsenal Football Club and I don’t believe this is the right moment to create any tension on that front.”

Wilshere’s graduation to the senior England squad has come in his first full season in the Arsenal first team, and has already made 45 appearances for club and country.

In the summer of 2009 Theo Walcott played for both the senior side and in the Under-21 European Championship finals in Sweden, and then missed the first three months of the following season with injury.