Wilshere decided to snub the England U21, despite announcing himself fit an raring to go, just nine days ago.
He insisted: “Despite coming to the end of a full year in the Premier League, I feel good and really strong.”
Wilshere claims he was destined for an injury after having played nearly 60 games for the Gunners this season.
“Missing the Under-21s is not just about the Euros. It is about me looking after myself,” Wilshere said yesterday.
“Over the last few weeks, I have been feeling tired and my GPS results have shown that.
“It shows I am heading for an injury and that is the last thing I want. Especially heading into the Euros. There are players like Steven Gerrard who have been injured while I have been playing and if I want to keep my place in the team I have to be 100 per cent.
“It didn’t really sink in at first but the figures just kept going down, on a downward spiral.
“It scared me a bit and made me realise as much as I can keep going and going, there’s a time when you’re going to hit the wall. Maybe that was coming.
“It showed that I was heading for an injury and that is the last thing I want.
“I am 19 and with the Euros coming up, it was in everyone’s best interests for me to rest. I think Stuart Pearce agreed with me.
“It was a bit awkward (with Pearce) but he was very understanding. He made it easy really.
“Over the last four games, after about 60 minutes, I started to feel a bit more tired than I would have done in January.
“It scared me a bit, made me realise as much as I can keep going and going, there’s a time when you’re going to hit the wall. Maybe that was coming.
“If I was in the squad, I would have gone. I love playing for England. Every time I get in a provisional squad now, I am buzzing. To put on an England shirt is a dream.”
