JACK Wilshere believes Harry Arter merits comparison to the glut of elite midfielders the Arsenal loan star has lined up alongside during his distinguished career.

Wilshere’s 76-minute outing in Cherries 1-0 win over Everton was chock-full of the silky touches, clever passing and intelligent movement typically associated with one of this country’s most gifted footballers.

But on this particular day, the majority of plaudits were reserved for Arter’s remarkable performance. And Wilshere, who counts Mesut Ozil, Cesc Fabregas, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard among his current and former team-mates, was happy to add his name to the large band of observers paying tribute to his new colleague.

“He is definitely up there,” said Wilshere, when asked how Arter matches up to those aforementioned first-rate performers. “I have played with some top midfielders. But it says a lot about a player when you are not at a big club, like Arsenal, and you are putting in big performances like that.

“You can really feel his hunger and passion for this team. He has been here ever since League One and you can see this team has got to him. The way he acts around the dressing room is great and he is going to be a big player for us this season.”

There was plenty of intrigue prior to Cherries’ encounter with Everton as to how Wilshere and the visitors’ Ross Barkley – both omitted from Sam Allardyce's first England squad – would perform in competition with each other.

Wilshere thrived on his second start for his loan club and subsequently admitted he had missed the “fight and intensity” of Premier League football.

Barkley, by contrast, struggled to influence proceedings. And Wilshere said Arter had been instrumental to Cherries successfully subduing one of the Toffees’ key men.

“Harry didn’t give him a second,” said Wilshere. “He didn’t let him turn, he didn’t let him do his stuff. And I’m sure if you ask Ross he will say they are the worst type of players to play against.

“You hate them. You turn and he is there. You think you have beaten him and he comes back at you. So it is horrible to play against.”

On whether Arter could hold his own playing for a club at the top end of the Premier League, Wilshere was unequivocal. But the 24-year-old thinks the ex-Woking player is perfectly happy where he is.

“If he wants to I’m sure he could go on to bigger clubs,” said Wilshere. “But I’m sure he is enjoying his time at Bournemouth. The fans love him, the manager loves him and he’s got the respect of everyone at the club.”

On his own progress, Wilshere agreed Saturday provided his first real opportunity to demonstrate what he can offer Cherries during his season-long stay.

He said: “I haven’t played enough football and it’s going to take me a few games. Today was probably the first day I felt back to myself. I had a little burst. When I got the ball I felt I could beat someone.

“But the team performance helped. That’s my game as well, the high intensity pressing, get at players and win the ball back in high positions. So overall I thought it was excellent today.”