Monday 13 February 2017 19:56, UK
Bournemouth have improved since they last played Manchester City and are better prepared for their Monday Night Football clash at the Vitality Stadium, according to Jack Wilshere.
Eddie Howe's side lost 4-0 to a rampant City when they faced each other at the Etihad back in September.
However, Wilshere believes he and his team-mates have learned a lot from that sobering afternoon in the north west.
"You see a world-class team - a few results went against them recently - but we saw when we played them earlier on in the season that they are a great team who can open up teams if they play to the best of each player's ability," he told Sky Sports.
"They are a big handful and we have to be ready for that and learn from our mistakes in the last game, try and stop them from attacking and maybe create something ourselves.
"We looked back at the game this week, like we always do, and a lot of their goals came from counterattacks. They have a lot of pace in their team, a lot of creativity and they want to hit teams on the counter.
"So we need to be ready for that. The first goal last time came from a corner and we have to look at that and we can't let that happen again, we have to learn from our mistakes.
"I think we are a better team than we was back then, so I am sure we will be a little bit more ready this time."
Of course, it is a compliment (to be linked with Man City), but you are never sure where it has come from. It could just be paper talk.
The England international, who is on loan from Arsenal, has reportedly been attracting the interest of City manager Pep Guardiola, something he brushes off merely as gossip.
"Of course it is a compliment, but you are never sure where it has come from, it could just be paper talk," Wilshere said.
"Pep Guardiola, for me, is one of the best managers in the world. I have looked up to him ever since I was at Arsenal and we played them in the Champions League.
"You can see what he did with Barcelona and how he wants to play and he has done that where ever he has been. So I am sure there is a lot more to come from City, whether it is this season or next season, and I am sure that they will be up there."
As for his own future, Wilshere says he is just focused on trying to keep Bournemouth in the Premier League, with the Cherries having slipped alarmingly down the table.
Rather than discuss where he may be playing next season, the 25-year-old instead wants to help the South Coast club - who sit in 14th, six points from safety - record their first league win this year.
"My main focus at the minute is obviously playing for Bournemouth and getting out of the position they are in, we need to get back to winning ways," he said.
"I am concentrating on the next three or fourth months here and then I am not sure what is going to happen.
"I will leave that [a new deal at Arsenal] to my agent and the people who deal with that type of thing. At the minute, I am just concentrating on maintaining my fitness, keep playing games and I am enjoying it.
"So as long as I am here, I am going to enjoy it and I am going to help Bournemouth.
"I think that at the end of the season when I sit down and think about it, that will obviously be a big factor. I need to play, that is why I have come here and Bournemouth have given me that opportunity.
"It is a big time for this club, they have worked really hard to get in the position they are today and we want to maintain our Premier League status.
"We know it is going to be a big job, but we are up for it. We need to get back to doing what we do best and I want to be part of that.
"Of course with social media these days, you read all sorts, but as I said, I am just concentrating on playing my best for Bournemouth, keeping my form, keeping my fitness.
"And probably at the end of the season, when we see what we have done here and I have maybe had a couple of weeks off and am sat on holiday, I will have a think about it."
Watch the full interview with Jack Wilshere ahead of Bournemouth's game with Man City on SS1 HD from 7pm on Monday
