Jack Wilshere has fire in his belly again and will return to world-class form on loan at Bournemouth, claims his long-time pal and Cherries star Benik Afobe
BENIK AFOBE says old pal Jack Wilshere now has “fire in his belly” at Bournemouth to prove he is one of the world’s greatest midfielders.
The Cherries striker knows Wilshere better than any other footballer after growing up with him at Arsenal since they were primary school kids.
And Afobe, 23, believes his 24-year-old pal is hungry and determined to finally fulfil his undoubted potential and make a name for himself all over again while on loan on the South Coast.
Cherries ace Afobe told SunSport: “Jack’s hungry and I can see he has that fire in his belly to make a name for himself again.
“He doesn’t say a lot and acts like he’s quiet and getting on with things. But, deep down, I know he wants to prove a lot of people wrong.
“I’m not just saying this because he’s a mate of mine but Jack is one of the top five left-footed central midfielders in the world.
“And I hope he goes out there and proves me right this season. I know he is determined to show exactly that. I see his passion and desire.
“He wants to work hard every day. He knows his injuries have sometimes been a setback for him but there is no question his ability is ridiculously great.
“Everyone knows he has got God-given talent but now he’s got to prove it week in, week out and that is what he wants.
“The reason he asked to come out on loan was because he wants to show the world what he can do.”
Wilshere stunned football by signing a season-long loan at Bournemouth and shunning interest from AC Milan and Roma and a host of other more fashionable English clubs.
And this Saturday the player capped 34 times for England is set to make his Premier League debut for the Cherries against West Brom.
Afobe said: “Bournemouth was a good move for him him because first and foremost the philosophy we have here is similar to Arsenal.
“We’re not Arsenal of course - but we like to play from the back. And the manager hates it when we go away from our philosophy.
“Jack likes to play good football and some other teams that were interested in him don’t play the way Arsenal do.
“It’s going to be great for him and great for Arsenal to see him play in a team that is similar in playing style.
“Then you must consider there are a lot of lads here who Jack already knows from his younger days. He has played with the likes of Dan Gosling, Junior Stanislav, Adam Smith and myself. It’s nice that he already knows a few people – that always helps.
“But it’s also good for him because he knows he’s going to be a big part of this squad as well.
“When you go somewhere where you know you’ve got a massive part to play, you feel confident before you’ve even stepped out on the pitch.
“He knows he has the trust of Eddie Howe. Already you can see in training that the manager has confidence in him and that is always important to a footballer.” Wilshere was bowled over by his meeting with Howe the day before he decided to make the move.
And Afobe revealed: “When he spoke to Eddie, it confirmed to Jack everything I had told him about the club and the manager.
“Jack rang me and said, ‘Eddie sounds like he’s the real deal and can get the best out of me … what do you think?’ And I just said, ‘Yeah’ basically!”
There have been reports of rifts between Wilshere and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
But Afobe said: “For one reason or another, he wasn’t getting an opportunity at Arsenal – yet he’s not upset, he’s not holding any grudges against anyone.
Shere desire leaves Benik fuming
JACK WILSHERE left Benik Afobe fuming after attempting to beat him to a tournament’s top goalscorer crown, writes JUSTIN ALLEN.
Long-term pals Afobe and Wilshere, who have known each other since they were primary school kids, were topping the goals charts playing for Arsenal at an Under-12s tournament in Le Havre.
And Afobe, 23, remembers how Player of the Tournament Wilshere, 24, tried to steal his thunder.
He said: “We both had scored eight goals each going into the semi-finals.
“Jack was on free-kicks and me on penalties and we got awarded a penalty.
“But he was our captain and picked the ball up.
“It was because he wanted to be top scorer and I was fuming. He was already going to win Player of the Tournament and I wanted top scorer.
“I took the ball and, at the age of 11, kicked it away angrily and went to the centre circle sulking.
“He scored. I wasn’t letting him be top scorer but he still won Player of the Tournament.”
“I speak to him all the time. He has no hard feelings. He loves the club. He’s been there like me since he was very young and doesn’t have any bad feelings about Arsenal.
“He just wants to play football and is happiest when he’s playing and showing the world what he can do.”
Some pundits are worried that Wilshere will be easily distracted by living in Bournemouth – a renowned party seaside town – with his best mate.
But Afobe is highly respected in the game for being totally focused and not going out on the sauce or getting in with the wrong crowd.
And Howe expects Afobe will be a good influence on his old friend.
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He said: “Jack is going to love it but he won’t really be out. I am always at home as well. I ‘m still getting used to some restaurants and stuff.
“Jack asked me the other day, ‘What restaurants are nice here?’ And I had to tell him I didn’t really know. I’ve been here six or seven months but I am always eating at home.
“I am always at home and that is the best way to be when you’re training hard. The times you get to rest, you should rest properly .. the manager is always saying the training is hard, rest, rest, rest.
“All we do is train, sleep, go home, watch TV, sleep … get up, train, go home, watch TV, sleep .. that is my life!
“I can go on holiday, drink and party when I retire. A footballer’s career you finish before you’re 40 … 40 for a normal human being is still young. I am going to have time for what I want to do later.”