The former Gunners midfielder worked with Dowman – who became the youngest goal scorer in Premier League history last month at the age of 16 years and 73 days - during his time as a coach in the Premier League club's youth set-up and feels that the player could be an asset for Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel in North America this summer.

Wilshere told The Telegraph: "The only thing I would say is, Spain would take him. That's what I think.

"We have this way at times in England of building them up but then protecting them. You get caught in that (place): 'If he goes what will people say?'

"He (Dowman) is definitely good enough. Even if he goes and he doesn't play that much. Which I think he can. I think he is good enough."

The former England international continued: "He is going to be there eventually. I understand people saying, 'Maybe not'. But I also think (Lamine) Yamal went as a 16-year-old (to Euro 2024) and he was the best player in the tournament."

Wilshere earned 34 England caps during his own injury-hit career and looks back at his national team experiences with a mixture of pride and frustration.

The former footballer – who is now managing League One side Luton Town – said: "I look back on my England career and those 34 caps could easily have been 75 – even if you cut down half the injuries.

"I look back with pride. I went to the World Cup (in 2014) and I went to the Euros (in 2016). Probably didn't get the best out of me because both were off the back of a season with bad injuries, but I had a coach in Roy Hodgson who I really liked.

"Arguably, I shouldn't have been in those squads, but he trusted me.

"Sometimes I look back and think of what might have been. But I have really good memories of scoring two goals (against Slovenia in 2015); of having a run in the team as a No 6. I loved that. So, yeah, frustrating, but also really proud."