Wilshere wants to emulate "hero" Steven Gerrard.

Jack Wilshere has revealed that Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is the player he most wishes to emulate, as the Arsenal star hails the England captain as the complete midfielder, the Daily Mirror has reported.


Wilshere earned plaudits for scoring a late, long-range goal to send the Gunners safely through to the next round of the FA Cup against Swansea City in midweek, the tie having gone to a replay after the first meeting between the sides, at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium, ended in a 2-2 draw. Arsenal next play Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion.

But the manner of Wilshere’s goal - a spectacular effort from distance - drew comparisons with numerous Gerrard efforts over the years, as did the way in which Wilshere stepped up and assumed responsibility for winning the match for his side.

Wilshere has been tipped as a future Arsenal captain, the Mirror adds, and the player himself says he one day hopes to mean to Arsenal what Gerrard does to Liverpool. Wilshere said: “Steven is a great role model. He has been the heartbeat of Liverpool for years… If I can get anywhere near as good as him and drive the team forward like he does, then I will be happy.”

While Wilshere acknowledged the similarity between his goal against Swansea and Gerrard’s against the likes of West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final and Olympiakos in a crucial Champions League match in 2004, he insisted that as players there are differences between Gerrard and himself.