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Jack Wilshere reached out to Paul Scholes

Wilshere in an attempt to gain clarification, confronted Paul Scholes about his stinging criticism

Jamie McDonald

After Paul Scholes' surprising criticism of Jack Wilshere and Arsenal almost a month ago, where he said:

"When Jack Wilshere came on the scene, what a top young player he looked...Injuries haven't helped him, but his development from 17 years of age, he doesn't look any better player now than he did when he was 17."

Scholes continued, taking a shot at Arsenal as a whole while he had the chance. "He needs people like [Patrick] Vieira, characters like that, to take him on to the next level. Characters and leaders are important. You play Arsenal now, get stuck in about them and you've won the game."

It seems that Jack actually followed up with Scholes about his comments, and phoned the former Manchester United midfielder to figure out what exactly the retired maestro meant with his criticism. Jack explains "If it had come from a rubbish player I could say 'What are you talking about,' but it came from Paul Scholes and for me he was the best English midfielder of all time."

It shows a new level of maturity in Wilshere that might not even be present in veterans like Scholes. Instead of publicly answering back, Jack took it as a chance to learn and to see ways that he could improve, also as a way to confront the man privately on what could be viewed as unfair criticism. Both of them acknowledged that injuries hampered Jack's development yet Scholes continued with the attack. Injuries are something that a player hardly has control over, and it doesn't take a scientist to see that Jack is pivotal to the team and steadily improves every year.

It seems that the talk ultimately dwindled to a difference of opinions as Jack states: "If it had come from a rubbish player I could say 'What are you talking about,' but it came from Paul Scholes and for me he was the best English midfielder of all time."

It would be nice if Scholes either kept his comments to himself or addressed the player privately next time he wishes to make those type of statements. But one can clearly see the bias against Arsenal in his words.