Jack Wilshere keen to emulate "role model" David Beckham

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed that he wants to emulate the career of his role model David Beckham for England.

The former Three Lions skipper recently announced that he would retire from football at the end of the season, which has resulted in tributes flooding in from across the world for the ex-Manchester United man.

Wilshere is eager for young fans to look up to him in the same way that he was influenced by Beckham during his youth days.

"He's had a massive influence; he was my role model when I was growing up. I wanted to be like him, like any other kid did," Wilshere told Sky Sports News. "I remember watching him one game, against Greece in the 2002 qualifier, when he basically beat them on his own, scored that free kick and he was the captain. He was a great role model for me and I looked up to him.

"I think any kid always looks up at the English national team, it doesn't matter how old you are, you always support your country.

"So all the young kids and all the older 16 and 17 year olds, they look up to you, even when they are that little bit older when you're playing for your country, you know that they are watching you and you know you have to try your hardest and that's something Beckham always did."

Beckham recently suggested that he has played the final game of his career for Paris Saint-Germain last weekend.