England Manager pleased with form of Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott

Roy Hodgson has been impressed with the form of Arsenal duo Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott this season.

Both players were named by Hodgson in the squad to face Brazil at Wembley next week, the first game of 2013 and The FA’s 150th anniversary year.

Wilshere has made a successful return from long-term injury this season and fitted straight back into the Gunners first team as well as a substitute appearance for England in Sweden last November.

And Walcott’s goals and performances in a central role under Arsene Wenger have also caught Hodgson’s eye.

He said: “Jack has been very good in the last few games in particular. He has been good since Arsene threw him in.

“We gave him a chance to play for 45 minutes against Sweden, maybe earlier than Arsene and I would have liked, but Jack took to it like a duck to water.

“He didn't think he needed any more time and he is getting better and better.”

With Walcott having hit a career-best 18 goals for Arsenal so far this season, Hodgson remains in no doubt that he has the quality to transform that record to the international game.

But with plenty of options in the striking positions, Hodgson won’t commit to playing Walcott through the centre next Wednesday.

He added: “Any player who can do the job for Arsenal in the Premier League and succeed in a certain position can do it for his national team.

“We have other alternatives. I don't know what prompted Arsene to play him at centre-forward.

“Someone might have been injured or that he thought Theo was the best man.

“But we are aware Theo is capable of playing in both positions.”