Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been confronted with controversies in the past few months involving his alleged racist remarks toward Manchester United starlet Adnan Januzaj and a photo, showing him puffing a cigarette, which circulated on the Internet.

Being a Premier League player for one of the biggest clubs in Arsenal, Wilshere is also exposed to constant criticism by pundits and football fans alike.

But, people tend to forget that there is still that kid in him, literally.

"Yes, I do think [people forget my age]," Wilshere's told arsenal.com.

"Not just because I've been around for a long time, but people hear I've got two kids and it's not often you hear about a 21-year-old with two kids."

He has spent almost his entire youth career with Arsenal, coming through the ranks and eventually making it to the first team at a very tender age.

"I've been in the first team since I was 16 so that's five years and that's quite a long time in football terms," he added.

"I made my debut when I was 16 and the aim was to play for England and it came pretty quickly - when I was 18. Then the main thing after that was to keep my place in the Arsenal team week in, week out and I did during that season."

The England international suffered a frustrating 2011/12 season, after making a breakthrough in 2010, because of a severe ankle injury.

Nevertheless, he was able to get back in shape because of his determination and seems to be in a better form.

"I then had a frustrating year with injury and it's tough when you're out injured, you've got to come back. People think that when you're out injured you don't do a lot of work but you do, trust me," he revealed.

"It's tough but last season I got back into the team, got fit again and had 30-odd games which was nice, and this year I've stayed fit so far and that's the aim for the rest of season."

"I play week in, week out against 31 and 32-year-olds so I think you just have to take that [close scrutiny]."

"People are always going to criticise you and judge your performances all the time. They are paid to do that, so you have to concentrate on your own game."

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