England call for Arsenal teen Wilshere

Arsenal’s teenage midfielder Jack Wilshere insisted he won’t get carried away after receiving a first England call-up for Wednesday’s Wembley friendly against Hungary.

The 18-year-old, as well as teammate Kieran Gibbs, has been summoned by Fabio Capello with the coach desperate to blood new talent and draw a line under the summer’s disastrous World Cup campaign.

Wilshere will become the 10th-youngest senior England international of all time if he makes his bow against Hungary in a key warm-up for the Euro 2012 qualifiers which start in September.

“I am delighted to have been named in the England squad for the first time,” he told www.arsenal.com.

“It is a real honour and I’m looking forward to the experience. But I am also realistic and want to take things one step at a time.

“Being called up to the England squad is a proud moment for me and my family, but my first target is to break into the Arsenal team and play on a regular basis.

“To achieve that, I need to keep my head down, work hard and stay focused.”

Gibbs, who was on target in Arsenal’s 6-5 friendly win at Legia Warsaw on Saturday, said he was honoured to be called up to an England squad which also includes Theo Walcott.

“It’s a welcome surprise to have been called up by Fabio Capello to the England squad for the first time,” said the 20-year-old.

“It is always an honour to play for my country at any level but it is a special moment to be called up to the first-team squad.

“To reach my full potential, it’s important that I keep on improving all aspects of my game and this call-up will certainly be a great learning experience for me. I just want to make the most of every opportunity I am given to better my game.

“I have to say this a real boost for me as I spent over five months out through injury and this is a good opportunity to thank the surgeons and medical support I’ve received to get me back to full fitness.

“Naturally my top priority at this moment in time is to get back to the level I was at before my injury and get some games under my belt with Arsenal, but of course, I would love to cement a place in the England team in the future.”