Wilshere has 'hit the wall' and needs a rest, Wenger warns England

Arsene Wenger will speak to Fabio Capello over Jack Wilshere's impending participation in the European Under-21 Championship. Wilshere was named in Stuart Pearce's squad this week and Wenger said he will ask the England manager "to consider the consequences" of the 19-year-old playing a summer tournament at the end of a busy season.

This has been a watershed campaign for Wilshere. He has become a regular member of the Arsenal first team, and has made 46 appearances in all competitions so far. More to the point, he has won four senior England caps and these two elevations have led to Wenger's questioning the usefulness of Wilshere playing in Denmark next month.

While Wenger does not seek to change Wilshere's mind on the matter, he is keen England show some restraint in their use of the young midfielder. "I would ask Fabio Capello to consider the consequences of a boy who is 19 years old who has played around 50 games at the end of the season," Wenger said yesterday, confirming that he would call Capello personally, "who has played for the first team and then a tournament on the back of it."

Wenger admitted that Wilshere was starting to tire after a draining season, and repeated his argument that he needs a good rest this summer. "I know that he continues to play, but Jack has hit the wall a little bit," Wenger said. "We know from our statistics. No matter what happens I have to give him at least four weeks' holiday. The tournament finishes at the end of June so he won't come back till the end of July."

Wenger then reminded the Football Association that Wilshere's delayed pre-season may stop him from playing in the senior England team's games at the start of next season: "That means he will not be ready to play at the start of August or maybe at the beginning of September."

Arsenal travel to Stoke City tomorrow, and Wenger confirmed that Aaron Ramsey will play. It was at the Britannia Stadium where Ramsey had his leg broken by Ryan Shawcross in February last year. Ramsey, who will play tomorrow because Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are out injured, scored his first goal since the injury last weekend."I am very, very happy for him," Wenger said. "He is certainly mentally stronger, after what happened to him you have to be strong."