Jack Wilshere spurring Wolves new-boy on

Striker Benik Afobe has been spurred on to "prove a point" at Wolves by best friend and former Arsenal team-mate Jack Wilshere.

Afobe was on the Gunners' books since he was six before his switch to Molineux this week on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The 21-year-old has battled injury set-backs and visited five other clubs on loan before hitting the goal trail in style at MK Dons this season.

And England midfielder Wilshere, with whom Afobe has shared some low points in the Arsenal treatment room, has fired up the 6ft frontman to unleash his potential on the Championship.

"Some people may have written me off after my injuries," said Afobe. "They may have thought 'he's just going to be another player that nearly made it but fell'.

"They were all very good to me at Arsenal, all of the staff, and I'm quite close to the players there. But, because he's my best friend, I'd probably say Jack Wilshere has helped me a lot in particular.

"We were both injured at the same time, we used to rehab at the same time, and we've been playing together since we were eight or nine years old.

"He's had a few injuries as well and can relate to me, and we've always tried to keep each other up.

"I was with Jack the other day. He lives barely a minute way from my house in Cockfosters, in London. I see him a lot and (since joining Wolves) he's urged me to prove a point and show people what I can do.

"I know Kenny Jackett will improve me and keep me going to my full potential.

"I'm hungry now to prove a point. I believe Wolves is a great club and should be a Premier League club. Hopefully I can get there with Wolves."

Afobe has netted 19 goals in 30 games for Karl Robinson's MK Dons this season, including two strikes in the club's 4-0 Capital One Cup home win against Manchester United.

The England Under-21 international has had loan spells at Huddersfield, Reading, Bolton, Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday.

He may have only netted 13 goals across four years – but he has no doubt in his ability to deliver at a promotion-chasing Championship club.

"People have often said 'you've done well in League One, but can you handle the Championship?' said Afobe.

"I can more than handle the Championship. Not in an arrogant way, but I've come from Arsenal and played with a lot of top players.

"And when I've been out on loan in the Championship, the managers have been playing me for five or 10 minutes – and then on the stats that counts as a whole game. And I was playing on the wing, and I was still a teenager. But if you add up the minutes, I probably have one of the better strike rates."

Afobe played under Jackett and assistant Joe Gallen during his loan spell at Millwall in 2013.

"To sign a three-and-a-half-year (permanent) deal here at Wolves is good, and hopefully I can find a home here and be successful," he said.

Afobe believes the competition up top at Wolves will enhance his game further.

"I'm a big fan of Luis Suarez and of course Thierry Henry, coming from Arsenal," said the Waltham Forest-born frontman. "They are probably the two players I look up to most in my position.

"But I like to play my own game and mix styles and skills I've learned from various players.

And I'll look forward to learning off the likes of Leon Clarke, Nouha Dicko and other strikers here."

I think they'll be looking at me too. We're all young and we all want to improve and help each other."

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