Former Arsenal and England midfielder Wilshere saw his Luton Town side beaten 1-0 by Argyle at Home Park
Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj holds off Luton Town’s Jordan Clark during the League One game at Home Park on January 24, 2026 – Photo: Dave Rowntree/PPAUK(Image: )
Jack Wilshere called Plymouth Argyle top scorer Lorent Tolaj the best striker he has seen in League One this season after his Luton Town side lost 1-0 to the Pilgrims at Home Park.
Tolaj did not add to his tally of 15 goals in all competitions and it was left-back Brendan Galloway who clinched a third consecutive League One success for Tom Cleverley’s Pilgrims after hooking the ball into the net from close range on the stroke of half-time.
However, former Arsenal and England midfielder Wilshere said: “I think when you play against a nine like Tolaj, he will create moments. He’s a top class striker for this level.”
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Tolaj had a header from a Ronan Curtis corner superbly saved by Luton goalkeeper Josh Keeley in the third minute of added time at the end of the first half but the rebound went to Galloway and he came up with the all-important finish.
Argyle have now won six and drawn two of their last nine League One games and are closer to the play-off places than the relegation positions in terms of the points gap.
Wilshere said: “Plymouth are a good team and Tom is doing a good job. He probably didn’t start the way he wanted to but I have heard him speak a lot about how many changes there were to the squad.
“I think he was trying to find that consistency, and he has got some good players now, and especially a good nine (Tolaj) you can score in any moment.”
He added about Tolaj: “He’s definitely the best I have seen at this level so far this season. Tom will obviously want to keep him but I’m sure there will be people looking at him. He’s good.”
Luton did not have a shot on target in the first half and Argyle had the chances to have been two or three goals ahead by the break.
Wilshere’s side came into the match much more in the second period, though, and Conor Hazard had to make a couple of excellent saves for the Pilgrims to preserve their lead.
The Town boss said: “I thought we done enough to get something out of the game, apart from put the ball in the back of the net.
“When you come here you expect it to be tough. Plymouth made it tough for us in the first half. I thought we suffered that moment quite well.
“We conceded from a set play at a bad time for us, but in the second half I thought we started right, we had the right intentions to try and attack.
Luton head coach Jack Wilshere during the League One game against Argyle at Home Park on January 24,2 026 – Photo: Dave Rowntree/PPAUK(Image: )
“It was just that final moment of putting the ball in the net and then, of course, when you are chasing the game you are a little bit open on transition.”
Wilshere added: “I came here (to Home Park) last year with Norwich against a team that was fighting for their lives and we lost the game.
“I knew the energy in the stadium, I know it means so much to the people of Plymouth so I knew it was going to be a tough place to come, and we spoke about that.
“We didn’t find our rhythm in the first half but we defended really well and stuck together, apart from that moment we conceded a goal.
“We knew what to expect and I would say for the majority of the time we dealt with it well. We just couldn’t put the ball in the net.”
Cleverley and Wilshere played for England at under-21 and senior level as well as having successful career as Premier League midfielders and are now trying to make their way in the world of coaching.
Wilshere said: “I love Clevs. We played together, we played against each other. I had loads of battles against Tom.
“Then we step into the coaching world at the same time. We have shared ideas over the years and we stayed in touch, even though he’s so busy trying to win games and I am.
“I think it’s nice when you have that little connection. I wish Tom good luck, I’m just devastated he beat us today.”
Wilshere added: “He’s good friends with Danny Welbeck, and then Danny Welbeck came to Arsenal and I became friends with him so there is a mutual friend there. Good luck to Tom, I hope he does well.”
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