Jack Wilshere can be the future of Arsenal ’ s midfield , but his injury record could turn him into another Abou Diaby , fears club legend Ray Parlour . Wilshere was on the bench against Reading at Wembley on Saturday after five months out through injury . And Parlour believes that the 23-year-old ’ s fitness record is the one thing holding him back from reaching his undoubted potential . Jack Wilshere , on the bench next to Theo Walcott and Mathieu Flamini , for Arsenal 's match against Reading . Wilshere , the England international , is pictured in training for Arsenal earlier this month . ‘ I think he ’ s the future of the club , ’ said Parlour . ‘ I think if he stays fit , he ’ s a quality player , there ’ s no doubt about that . ‘ The way he goes past players , the way he links up with people , I definitely think he ’ s got a big role to play . ‘ But again , the big question mark is can he stay fit ? Look at Abou Diaby . Diaby ’ s a terrific player . But look at him , the injuries the last few years . ‘ The big burning question is can Wilshere have a full season without being injured for a long period , like he hasn ’ t had for the last three or four seasons. ’ The 23-year-old pictured in action for Arsenal 's Under-21s against Reading at the Emirates earlier in April . Wilshere is at the heart of a core of players at the Emirates which has now reached the FA Cup final for the second year in a row , and are approaching maturity as a group . And although the Premier League title may be out of their reach , Parlour believes that Arsene Wenger ’ s squad , with the right additions , could be ready to finally push for top honours again . ‘ What I like about the squad is that they ’ ve got good youngsters - Oxlade-Chamberlain , Chambers and Bellerin - coming through , but the main nucleus of players are a good age , ' added Parlour , talking at the Carlsberg People ’ s Pundit final . ‘ They ’ re not too old , they ’ re in their prime now , they ’ ve got the experience . So those sort of players , people like Ozil , Ramsey , Sanchez , Wilshere if he ’ s fit , they ’ ve got that nucleus . Ray Parlour , who won three championships with Arsenal , has backed Wilshere to be the future of the club . ‘ It ’ ll need a couple of big signings , but if they can get them , I ’ m sure they ’ ll be a lot closer to Chelsea next season in the Premier League , and in the Champions League they can go the extra couple of rounds and get to the final , ' said Parlour , at the Boot Camp stage of The People 's Pundit , championed by Carlsberg – the Official Beer of the England team and the Premier League . After months of scouring the country , The People 's Pundit has narrowed down its search to five football fans in with a chance of winning their big break on talkSPORT on the last day of the Barclays Premier League season . Those five – a call centre worker , a personal trainer , a sales director , a production runner , and a furniture upholsterer – were put through their paces under the famous Wembley arch by punditry legends Jeff Stelling , Mark Saggers and Ray Parlour in the final race to see who will become The People 's Pundit . Parlour , who won three FA Cups under Arsene Wenger , was also full of praise of the Gunners ' FA Cup final opponents Aston Villa , and their boss Tim Sherwood . The former Tottenham boss – who grew up an Arsenal fan – has steered Villa away from the relegation dogfight and into their first Cup final for 15 years , and Parlour backed him to be named manager of the season if he triumphs at Wembley . Parlour won the FA Cup under Arsene Wenger three times , including in 2002 when he scored a stunning goal . Frenchman Diaby 's promising career has been hit by a host of injuries . ‘ I played with him at England , he always a great lad , always had a good football brain on him , and he ’ s certainly delivering the goods at the moment , ’ said Parlour . ‘ He ’ s certainly got something going for him , and I ’ d be amazed if Villa do go down , with the momentum they ’ ve got . ‘ If he can keep the club up and lead them next season in the Premier League , and if he can win the FA Cup as well , it ’ s a great season . If they can come fourth from bottom this season , and win the cup , he ’ s got to be near enough for manager of the year. ’ The Carlsberg Fan Squad is all about making football better for fans . That 's why If Carlsberg did pundits , they 'd probably be fans just like you . To find out more about the People 's Pundit finalists , vote for your favourite , and find out which will win their big break on talkSPORT on the last day of the Premier League season , head to ThePeoplesPundit.co.uk # PeoplesPundit . Carlsberg is the official beer of the England team and the Premier League .
Jack Wilshere has not played for Arsenal since November after limping off at the Emirates following a tackle from Manchester United 's Paddy McNair . His career has been plagued by injuries , but former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes he is the future of the club . Parlour also reckons Arsenal can push Chelsea for the title next season . READ : Arsenal will help Abou Diaby get back on track , even if he leaves . Winterburn : Klopp is perfect for Arsenal but give Wenger is the right man .