Jack Wilshere looked composed from the outset of his first England start. The Arsenal youngster has regularly been one of Arsenals top performers this season and has given the national coach Fabio Capello no choice but to select him.

Prior to kick off the England manager praised Wilshere by comparing him to Andrea Pirlo and Claude Makelele. The Italian believes the youngsters technical ability and passing quality will help England break down opposition moves and begin England’s play, without hitting the long ball.

Wilshere started the game with the instruction of playing the holding role in midfield along side captain Frank Lampard. He regularly picked the ball off one of the back four and as is often the case in an Arsenal shirt, his first intention was to carry the ball forward.

It really is impressive, that even on the international stage, a 19 year old can be so willing to collect the ball. Always making himself available for a pass, Wilshere sometimes found himself tightly marked by the opposition still asking for the ball. Were he in the Emirates he would more often than not receive it. Asking for the ball in these positions on foreign soil at international level maybe a sign of naivety if not confidence.

His attacking fervour was often evident. Always following England attacks into the Denmark half. A few trademark one – twos with strikers dropping off allowed him a couple runs at the Danish defence.

Fabio Capello withdrew Wilshere at half time, perhaps an attempt to sweeten Arsene Wenger ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League tie with Barcelona next week.

Theo Walcott

After recently admitting he was wrong to leave Walcott behind for last summers World Cup it is no surprise Walcott started for his country tonight. Backed up by excellent domestic form Walcott was probably one of the first names on the starting sheet.

Theo worked hard all night and was always willing to track back and tackle. He created the goal by not giving up after losing control of a cross and then showed composure and good decision-making by fizzing a low cross for Darren Bent to tap in.

He faded in and out of the game as is sometimes accustomed to wingers. Glimpses of his pace but failed to really threaten. Substituted after 65 minutes doing his international reputation no harm whatsoever.

Niklas Bendtner

Cocky smile, untucked shirt, is it any surprise when he gets through and misses anymore? Two good early chances, as usual one was offside. Nothing knocks his confidence, which for someone who misses as may chances as he does is a good thing. Seems to be appreciated much more by the Denmark fans than he is by Arsenal. In his defence he held the ball up very well to bring his midfield into attacking positions but was outshone by the excellent Christian Eriksen.

Andrei Arshavin

The under fire Russian was unable to build on his recent return to club form. After scoring the winner against Everton last week and following it up with two assists against Newcastle, his Russian side went down 1-0 in a shock defeat to Iran. Mohammad Reza Khalatbari scored in the final minute in Abu Dhabi, but was immediately sent of for his celebration.

Thomas Rosicky

Rosicky scored just on the stroke of half time as Czech Republic went down 4-2 in the Stadion Maksimir to Croatia. Former gunner Eduardo Da Silva opened the scoring for the hosts.

Wojciech Szczęsny

The Polish goalkeeper has shined since replacing fellow countryman Lucas Fabianski in between the posts at Arsenal. His clean sheet helped his country to a 1-0 win over Norway in the Stadio Algarve.

Les Blues

Laurent Koscielny, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Abou Diaby were all selected for France’s home match against Brazil. However only Sagna started for Les Blues in the Stade de France and turned in a good performance. Diaby featured for the last thirty minutes. Hernanes was sent off for violent conduct just before half time and France took advantage of the extra man winning 1-0.

Fabregas and Van Persie withdrew from the Spanish and Dutch squads respectively, 48 hours prior to their internationals due to illness. Johan Djourou pulled out of the Switzerland squad after picking up a bruised knee against Newcastle at the weekend.