Wilshire Believes Arsenal Will Kick off the new season on a High
The midfielder says he is "80 per cent fit" and is looking forward to further tests in the Emirates Cup after long periods on the sidelines
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has backed the Gunners to start the new Premier League campaign strongly following their pre-season tour of the Far East.
Arsene Wenger’s men beat Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 in their final game of their Asia tour and Wilshere felt their recent friendlies have been great preparation, especially personally after spending long spells on the sidelines through injury.
"I felt better and better every game," he told Arsenal Player. "It's difficult with the conditions. You struggle to catch your breath. The performances have got better every game and the opposition have got harder every game so it's good preparation.
"We've got the Emirates Cup coming up now and then Manchester City [in Helsinki] and then the season starts so we're going to be flying. I'm probably 80 per cent fit. We've got a couple more tests and then we'll be ready."
Wenger has given many of his youngsters plenty of game time in the recent friendlies with Chuba Akpom, Gedion Zelalem, Serge Gnabry and Chuks Aneke all featuring and Wilshere has been impressed with their performances.
"I remember when I was their age," he added. "It's good to come away and get used to being around the first team and learning from the manager, who is good at bringing young players in and breaking them in slowly.
"They've done well and hopefully they can get in the Emirates Cup squad and really show the home crowd what they can do."
Meanwhile, Laurent Koscielny feels the club are full of confidence in good shape ahead of their opening fixture against Aston Villa.
"We won all our games so that's good confidence," he told the club's official website. "We had a lot of training and all the players trained very well and gave themselves for the team.
"Pre-season is very important for the Premier League. It's a long season so we need to be fit - I think we did well. The win gives us some confidence, and it's good for the next games - the Emirates Cup, [the friendly] against Manchester City and the start of the season."
Moyes impressed with young Man Utd trio
The Scot says he has learnt a lot about his squad during their pre-season tour and is settling into life with the Premier League champions well
Forward Lingard scored his fourth goal of the champions’ pre-season tour in the win with Januzaj also on target alongside Danny Welbeck, Chris Smalling and Fabio in Hong Kong.
Speaking after the game Moyes admitted he had learnt a lot about many of his new players and revealed what the tour had meant to him.
"A couple of the young lads, Adnan and Jesse Lingard, who I didn't know as much about, did well and Wilfried Zaha, who has just joined, he has shown what he is capable of in the games he has played," he told reporters.
"I think they will go away from the trip feeling they have contributed to it. I am taking away the great experience of my first trip with Manchester United in general and what the football club means around the world."
The victory means Manchester United have won three of five games of their Far East tour and Moyes added he had been pleased with the efforts of all the squad.
"I have also had a chance to get to know the players and try to settle into my new environment and for the players to get to know me as well," he added.
"They have been working with a great manager for a long time a lot of them, so it is going to take time. But I have really enjoyed working with them. They have been incredibly professional.
"I can see why they are champions because of the way they conduct themselves and go about their business. I have been very impressed."
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