At carefully stage-managed press conferences, particularly those involving global superbrands and far-flung locations, Premier League footballers generally know the drill. Smile warmly and parrot your lines. Nobody told Jack Wilshere.

If there was an intake of PR breath when a Malaysian journalist ventured off limits to ask a question about loyalty, in light of the Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri will-they-or-won't-they sagas, it was followed in quick succession by Wilshere's response.

"Loyalty is a big part of football and it shows if you are a real man or not," the midfielder said, from his position on the stage. "There have been a few players who have shown Arsenal great loyalty and, hopefully, we will get a few more like that. Then we will see if we can get a trophy or not."

The answer said everything about Wilshere's rugged individualism and desire, not to mention his burgeoning status in the Arsenal dressing room. This time last year, he was preparing for the pre-season friendly against Barnet at Underhill, having never before started a Premier League fixture. Now, having become a first-choice for Arsenal and England, the 19-year-old finds himself as one of the faces of the club's far eastern tour, and dispensing no-holds-barred comment on the sensitive issues.

Pulled to one side after the press conference, Wilshere reinforced how desperate he was for Arsenal's key players to stay. His rallying call was clear and direct. Man up, stick together and glory will beckon. "If you are loyal, it means you are a real man," he said. "We have got loyalty at Arsenal and players have shown that in the past. Cesc showed that last year and, hopefully, a few more players will show it this year. If you look at Tottenham, they are fighting to keep Modric. It's the same for any team ... you have to keep your best players. We have to keep ours if we want to win things.

"Robin [van Persie] has said he would be devastated if we lose Cesc and it's the same for me. He has been a role model for me and he is the player I want to aspire to. It would be a shame if we lose him but, hopefully, we can keep hold of him."

Wilshere attended the Nike event in Kuala Lumpur's Exhibition Centre with his team-mates Theo Walcott, Alex Song and Wojciech Szczesny and they were greeted by 3,000 screaming fans. Their entrance into a darkened warehouse-style arena for a kickabout with local youngsters befitted a rock band. With music thumping and spotlights racing, the announcer whipped up the crowd before a shutter was raised and the players emerged to a frenzy of camera flashes. Szczesny strutted as he took it in.

Not since 1999 have Arsenal visited the far east, with the manager, Arsène Wenger, happier to hole up in an Alpine outpost for no-frills work. Bad Waltersdorf, this is not. Arsenal's owners have been keen to promote the club as a brand and they hope to reap commercial benefits from their increased visibility here. The players arrived on Monday with glassy eyes from the 13-hour flight yet they are now wide with amazement. Thirty thousand fans watched the team train on Tuesday night.

For Wilshere, who received the biggest ovation, together with Nasri and Van Persie, it has got the juices going again. He admits that he was a frustrated TV spectator during the European Under-21 Championship in June, from which he stood down to rest for the new season, but he is primed to enjoy the benefit. "It was important to see the bigger picture and it was to rest," he said. "I feel refreshed now."

When Wilshere speaks, he does so as something of an Arsenal veteran, having been at the club since the age of nine. It has not all run smoothly – he was arrested twice last season following late-night fracas in London – but he is eager to embrace greater responsibility and opportunity.

"I am happy at Arsenal ... there is no reason for me to think otherwise," he said. "I have had a few problems in the past but we have spoken about it and helped me get over it. Now, I am really focused on helping the club win trophies. It would mean everything to win a trophy this season. We need to stay strong, maybe make a few more signings and we will be all right."