Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere: I can handle England pressure

Jack Wilshere says he can handle increasing pressure being placed on his shoulders after the Arsenal midfielder starred in England’s 2-1 victory over Brazil on Wednesday night.

Goals from Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard helped England to a rare win over the five-time World Cup winners, but it was Wilshere who earned most of the plaudits for an impressive display.

The 21-year-old has already been touted as England’s next big saviour, but Wilshere believes winning the World Cup is very much a squad effort and the Three Lions can’t afford to rely on a single player.

“I don’t think one player can ever win a World Cup for a nation. Listen, I’ve got great players around me,” said Wilshere.

“We’ve got Steven Gerrard, still one of the best midfielders in the world, and Lamps who came on and scored a great goal – and we’ve got good young players as well.

“There are going to be expectations and when you are playing well and you are in the national team, there are always going to be high expectations.

“But I think you have to deal with that.”

He added: “It’s great having Stevie and Lamps alongside me. I used to come to Wembley to watch them play, so to play with them now is a dream come true.

“It’s testament to them that they keep doing it at their age.

“Ten years at the top is something I want to do, so looking at those two is something I look up to.

“Stevie is probably the fittest guy in the team and Lamps came on and got a great goal. He has been doing that for years, scoring important goals, and he keeps doing it.”