Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has declared that the crop of youngsters who played on the club's pre-season tour of Asia caught his attention.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger played a string of teenagers during recent matches in the Far East, including Chuba Akpom, Gedion Zelalem and Serge Gnabry.

Wilshere told the club's official website: "I remember when I was their age. It's good to come away and get used to being around the first team and learning from the manager, who is good at bringing young players in and breaking them in slowly.

"They've done well and hopefully they can get in the Emirates Cup squad and really show the home crowd what they can do."

Akpom scored three times on tour for Arsenal, while academy players Thomas Eisfeld and Kristoffer Olsson also got their names on the scoresheet in Asia.