Jack Wilshere: a new Arsenal star

Amid the anxieties over a lack of firepower following the departure of Emmanuel Adebayor to Man City, and the excitement over the possible return to the club of former captain Patrick Vieira, Arsenal fans have a new young star to shout about after winning the Emirates Cup on Sunday - 17-year-old Jack Wilshere.

The former youth team and reserves player was named man of the match after scoring twice in the first team's 3-0 destruction of Rangers at the Emirates Stadium - the first goal coming within two minutes of the start when Wilshere latched on to a flick from Andrey Arshavin, and the second a memorable strike into the top of the net in the second half.

Afterwards, Arsene Wenger was his normal cautious self, urging fans not to expect too much and trying to dampen expectations that England manager Fabio Capello, who witnessed Wilshere's performance, would pick him for his World Cup squad. "Let's be calm and quiet, the World Cup is next year," said Wenger. "Let's first see how he improves and plays; how consistent he is."

Wilshere had also been named man of the match after the Saturday game against Atletico Madrid in which he made a real impact in the second half. "Let's not make stars in two games," said the manager. "I still believe you have to respect the development of the player."

Despite the call for calm, and conveniently forgetting the Theo Walcott fiasco at the last World Cup, sports writers were even suggesting this morning that Capello might pick Wilshere for England's friendly against Holland next week.

In the meantime, Wenger was also facing questions about a talismanic Gunner only months short of being twice Wilshere's age - Patrick Vieira.

The rumour that the much-loved former team captain might return to Arsenal from Inter Milan has been gaining ground over the weekend. While Wenger has never before re-signed a player, he admitted it was on the cards.

"It is a possibility," he said. "I have huge respect for him. We have a very good relationship. I never said I would never [re-sign a player]. Usually, I feel once the players have gone, they have gone."

Fans should be put out of their misery very soon: Wenger aims to complete all his transfer dealings within the week.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT WILSHERE:Russell Kempson, the Times: Wilshere has a touch of the Liam Brady, the former Arsenal and Ireland favourite, about him - the upright gait, the gliding manner in which he runs and the dominant left foot.

Duncan White, Daily Telegraph: The only player to match the quality of Arshavin's performance yesterday was Jack Wilshere, who shares the Russian's low centre of gravity and inventive wit on the ball.

Ashley Gray, Daily Mail: Although Wenger is urging patience, the young forward must be considered a possible starter for the season and could only have impressed watching England manager Fabio Capello.

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