Wilshere explains unseen side of Fabregas that made him best Arsenal team-mate

Jack Wilshere has explained the unseen side of Cesc Fabregas that made him his best Arsenal team-mate.

The pair spent three seasons in the Gunners' first-team before Fabregas left for boyhood club Barcelona after being considered one of the Premier League 's best midfielders at the time for his technical ability.

But Wilshere has explained that the playmaker was influential off the pitch too, noting how the now Monaco midfielder was a "leader."

Asked who his best team-mate at the Emirates was, the 29-year-old told talkSPORT : "Probably Cesc Fabregas.

"He played in the Premier League - just after the 'Invincibles' side - at 16.

"You won't see that anymore. Even players like Foden, he only started at 18."

Wilshere said Fabregas was a 'leader' at Arsenal ( Image:

2011 Getty Images)

And it was that young start that led to manager Arsene Wenger handing the Spaniard the captain's armband aged 21 in November 2008, just as a teenage Wilshere was making his breakthrough.

"I learnt a lot from him as he was my captain as well. People don't realise he was a great leader," the England international went on.

"He was a talker on the pitch, in the dressing room. He would motivate us and he was the dressing room, he was the loudest.

"He would lead by his performances too. I played with him so many times where he would create around ten chances on his own and control the game by himself."

Wilshere played against Fabregas when the latter was at Chelsea ( Image:

Reuters)

Fabregas, who returned to English shores in 2016 for a spell at Chelsea, was a big fan of Wilshere's himself and has praised his talent multiple times down the years.

When asked on Twitter if Wilshere could have been one of the best players in Europe if not for his injury woes, the 34-year-old replied: "No doubts."

Fabregas also told the Daily Mail in 2016: "Jack was such a good talent, one of the most talented players I've ever played with.

"He was just 16 when he first came to train with us and I was like 'wow this guy is good, strong, sharp.'"

Wilshere is currently back training with Arsenal in a bid to to maintain his fitness as he continues his search for a new club following his release from Championship outfit Bournemouth this summer.

The latest club he has been linked to is David Beckham' s MLS franchise, Inter Miami, and the former West Ham midfielder has responded to the reports.

"Obviously I would like to play in the Premier League as well but I would also like to play abroad," Wilshere stated, again speaking to talkSPORT.

He added: "I'm training with Arsenal 'til the end of January, the MLS start their pre-season in January."

Would the MLS be a good move for Wilshere? Let us know your thoughts below.

Manager Mikel Arteta recently welcomed back his ex-team-mate to London Colney with open arms, with the club allowing Wilshere to help coach their Under-17s.

The Gunners boss told Arsenal.com : "What you should believe is that we want to help Jack prepare for his next stage, physically, mentally.

"He wants to do his coaching badges again and we are prepared to fulfil all the needs that he wants.

"That is basically the idea and it is no further than that. I am very happy to have him back."

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