Jack Wilshere Appearance Surprised to Guardiola

JACK WILSHERE and Xavi Hernandez

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has stated that Jack Wilshere has changed a lot this season. He acknowledged Arsenal's young midfielder rapid progress has been very surprised him.

Guardiola saw the appearance of 19-year-old player from the close for the first time three weeks ago, in the first leg match both teams in the Champions Cup at the Emirates Stadium. Wilshere capable of playing loose with no load and showed a high skill players to face the world's top middle of Barcelona's team, like Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

"Wilshere is a top player. He has been a big surprise," said Guardiola.

"I do not see him at the beginning of the season, but now he appears as a very good player, not only Arsenal but also for the team [England] national," added Guardiola.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is sure that Wilshere fit enough to play against Barcelona at the Nou Camp Thursday (Feb. 8), although he is still troubled by his ankle due brutalized by many Sunderland players in the Premier League match at last Saturday.*