Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere finds his identity to silence critics

Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere celebrates his magnifcent goal at the Emirates Stadium against Manchester City

Jack Wilshere is painfully aware that the "potential" card can be played no more. He is aware of the luminous achievements of those his age, 22, with Germany's World Cup hero Mario Götze a suitable example. He knows he must deliver and that his career, one which represented England's future, has reached its decisive point.A mob of merciless critics had begun to engulf Wilshere, his every surge, tackle and individual display subject to intense scrutiny. The notable likes of Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen, Robbie Savage and Paul Scholes waded into the debate offering their own unequivocal views. It is a debate Wilshere will hope hope he would have settled once and for all.BBC Question Time and David Dimbleby would have had a field day with Wilshere's doubters, yet the England midfielder refused to be daunted, retaining his focus and benefitting immensely from the unerring faith of both Arsene Wenger and England manager Roy Hodgson. Here he was, exuding utter confidence and dictating the flow, balance and tempo of Arsenal's enthralling 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Wilshere has never been one to shy away from criticism.

A performance of skill and resilience

In spite of the pressure and the doubt, the 22 year-old was deservedly Man of the Match. There are degrees to Wilshere's excellence and he was at his mercurial best here, extinguishing the intense fire of criticism fuelled by Scholes and co. The former Manchester United midfield maestro questioned the progress made by Wilshere since his emergence as a promising starlet from Arsenal's academy, and while his performance at the Emirates was not without fault, it was a major improvement on his appearances of late.

He was the ruler of Arsenal's attacking engine room, contributing hugely to neat exchanges within the outskirts of the penalty box and even galloping the length of the pitch in aid of his defensive partners, regularly nullifying City's hazardous and orchestrating a plethora of Arsenal's own. Who ever said he was devoid of passion and aggression?Hodgson was not in attendance at the Emirates, instead opting to scout the English talents of Chelsea and Swansea at Stamford Bridge, but Wilshere's message, one informing Hodgson of his most effective position as a No.10 and not an anchor man, will have echoed through the confines of the London Underground and into Hodgson's thoughts.Arsenal shimmered with verve and intent in the opening exchanges, thanks largely to Wilshere's refreshing vivacity. He pressed tirelessly and, when in possession, surged forward, enticing comparisons with his City adversary Frank Lampard, who, in his pomp at Chelsea, was one of the most competent box-to-box midfielders of his time.

Exuding confidence, he embarked on one of his trademark mazy, silky runs, reaching the edge of the penalty box before collapsing under what he believed to be a trip from former Arsenal colleague Gael Clichy, his protestations failing to garner any interest from referee Mark Clattenburg.He was thriving alongside Aaron Ramsey in Wenger's unfamiliar 4-1-4-1 formation, granted a licence to attack with Mathieu Flamini serving as cover should any problem ensue. He was taking full advantage, producing exquisitely deft touches to shimmy away from Fernandinho and then Lampard.Wilshere went from strength to strength in the second half, returning to the pitch with a vengeance with City in the ascendancy through Sergio Aguero. He first completed a neat exchange of passes with Ramsey, whom he seems to have developed a coherent understanding with, before embarking on another of his vivacious forward incursions, his rapid progression brusquely terminated by a pugnacious Fernandinho.

Elegant, and a goal Messi would have cherished

Finally, his brilliance was rewarded. His midfield duel with Fernandinho was intriguing and Wilshere emerged as the victor on this particular passage of play. He was alert and determined, pouncing eagerly upon an uncharacteristic lapse of concentration from Fernandinho, nudging the ball into Ramsey's path before embarking on a buccaneering run.

He out-stripped Vincent Kompany before majestically bewildering a hesitant Clichy. His finish, one reflective of his unscathed self-belief, was scrumptious, the ball chipped above his impotent England colleague Joe Hart.

It was a goal Lionel Messi would have cherished. It was elegant, Wilshere side-stepping Clichy with his left foot before displaying impressive two-footedness and composure to lob Hart.By the second half's mid-point, Wilshere was in his spectacular pomp. He was pivotal in Alexis Sanchez's exquisite volley which destined to be the decisive moment. It was a goal worthy of gracing any match but Wilshere's role cannot be marginalised, displaying great anticipation to comfortably beat Jesus Navas to Vincent Kompany's loose headed clearance and heading powerfully, and accurately, in Sanchez's path.He did not stop there, skilfully nut-megging Pablo Zabaleta before proceeding to deliver a menacing cross which Ramsey was unable to latch onto. Wilshere has, however, latched onto the No 10 positon.