Wilshere - We want to lay down a marker

Jack Wilshere believes finishing second in the Premier League would lay down a marker ahead of next season.

Arsène Wenger’s team have won 18 of 22 matches in 2015 and produced a convincing performance in the 3-1 victory at Hull City on Monday night.

That result moved the Gunners level with second-placed Manchester City, though they also have a game in hand on last season’s champions.

“[Finishing second] would set a marker for next season and would be a progression from last year,” Wilshere said. “The last few seasons we’ve finished fourth so to finish two places ahead of that would be a massive progression for us and hopefully will give us confidence going into next season."

“We knew [Hull] were going to come out because they’re fighting for their lives, but we expected that,” he continued.

“We soaked up the pressure well in the first half and our quality shone through. We’ve got players going forward who are some of the best in the world and they showed that.”

Wilshere was delighted to return to the first team at KC Stadium after five-and-a-half months out with an ankle injury.

“That’s the most important thing for me,” he said. “It’s frustrating when you’re out but when you’re back on the pitch it makes up for all the time you spent injured.

“It’s much better for me to come into a team who are winning and playing as well as that. It’s easy because you can fit in when the boss is ready to include you.

“I’m just happy to get back on the pitch and get some minutes under my belt. I feel fitter for it, I’ll train next week and hopefully get some minutes next week as well.”