Wilshere named best young player

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was named the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year on Sunday.

Wilshere, 19, edged second-placed Gareth Bale – who won the Player of the Year award – for the gong, while Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez was third.

In other awards, World Cup final referee Howard Webb won the PFA Merit award, while his long-term assistants Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey were also recognised.

Wilshere has become a first-team regular at Arsenal this season and his terrific form at club level saw him make his full England debut in February against Denmark.

”It is my first full season and it is a massive award, especially from my fellow players. It is amazing,” Wilshere said.

”I am very proud to be the fifth recipient from Arsenal, it is good to keep this history going.”

“Arsenal is a good club for bringing youngsters through and they keep proving it so I would like to thank the manager as well.”

He also said he was surprised when told he had won the award and hopes his side can manage to win a trophy this season, although Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool leaves the Gunners six points behind league leaders Manchester United.

”I am a bit surprised,” he said.

”I always knew I could do but still it was a surprise how early it came. I am delighted just to be in the team to win an award, so I have to keep it up now and hopefully we can win something this year.”

Webb was honoured to receive his award, especially as it came from the players.

”It came as a bit of a surprise really,” Webb said.

”It certainly is an honour to be recognised by such an esteemed body as the Professional Footballers’ Association. It means an awful lot.”

”It is nice that the playing side of the game has taken this opportunity to mark what happened with us last year, the two finals that we did and I am very proud of that fact.”