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Jack Wilshere accused of 'taking it easy' during Arsenal return for Under-21s

The England midfielder was making his first appearance of the season in the match against Newcastle at the Emirates

Simon Rice
Friday 08 April 2016 20:59 BST
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Jack Wilshere playing for Arsenal Under-21s
Jack Wilshere playing for Arsenal Under-21s

Jack Wilshere returned to action tonight, playing 65 minutes for Arsenal Under-21s at the Emirates against Newcastle.

It was the England midfielder's first game of the season and first match of note since playing in the Emirates Cup against Wolfsburg in pre-season. His last competitive appearance before breaking his leg in training was when he scored a brace for England in their Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia back in June of last year.

So understandably, the 24-year-old would have been wanting to approach the game cautiously. But for some Arsenal fans watching the match Wilshere was taking it too easy.

Arsenal's official Twitter feed was covering the match, which was attended by 2,800 people, and did little to counter the suggestion Wilshere didn't do much.

What the Twitter feed didn't report was that Wilshere was spoken to by the referee following a coming together with Newcastle's Henri Saivet.

Henri Saivet and Jack Wilshere have words

The focus on Wilshere's return intensified this week when video footage emerged of him being spoken to by police following a fracas outside a nightclub.

Tomas Rosicky and Serge Gnabry, who have also struggled with injury, were also in action at the Emirates.

Arsenal were leading 3-1 when Wilshere was removed, which was how the game ended. Dan Crowley and Stephy Mavididi scored for the Gunners before an own goal from Krystian Bielik let Newcastle back in. Gnabry scored after 34 minutes to make it 3-1.

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