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Another season, another niggling injury for Jack Wilshere. As he takes his sabbatical, critics find it hard to point a finger at the culprit behind his regular unavailability in recent seasons. Through this article, I intend to try my hand at solving the puzzle.
Bastian Schweinsteiger once said about the diminutive midfielder, "In his position, he is one of the best players there is."However, does anyone really know his best position? After a few years of watching Wilshere play, the only thing that is certain is that his position is in midfield; well, somewhere in midfield, to say the least.
As a young 16 year-old making his debut for Arsenal, Jack Wilshere seemed to be one of the most promising midfield players to emerge for club and Country. Playing holding midfield, attacking or even sometimes on the left flank. A young Jack was dubbed as the next Steven Gerrard, the future England Captain and leader.His recent England performances have won him wide accolades from many, yet his Club form hasn’t yet hit the same peaks.
It may certainly come down to the role he plays for England and for Arsenal. There is also a hint that deploying him in a forward role may be a reason as to why he is so injury prone.
Roy Hodgson chooses to play him in a much deeper role, but Wenger continues to utilize him further up front. The contrasting choices of the two mangers stirs up the debate as to whether Wenger is exhibiting a kind of naivety that comes with old age, or if he truly believes that Wilshere can really thrive in the attacking position once his mental sharpness is back to top notch.
Jack has himself stated how much he likes to play in a deeper position for country in recent times, but when questioned about his role at the Club, he is quick to admit that the Boss knows best.
His greatest attribute is his distribution skill, which is somewhat restricted when he plays too far up-field. His ball retention is taking a hit as he drives forward into crowded penalty areas; and a recently developing lack of timing on his release of the final ball has left many fans cringing.
This style of play also draws quite a few ugly challenges, making him susceptible to injury, which he clearly has had enough of in his career.
He took another knock last weekend against Manchester United while playing up front, which makes it a shocking 127 games missed for Arsenal due to injury for such a promising 22 year old. He runs at defenders and draws a lot of fouls when he plays higher up the pitch.
Even though he is getting the free-kicks for his team in really dangerous positions, he doesn’t seem to realize what he might be doing to his career in the long run. That’s typical Jack I guess, always playing for the name on front of the shirt at any cost.
When questioned about Jack’s position, Le Professeur mentions that if you play Jack too deep, you take a big part of his efficiency away. Wilshere is a guy who likes to penetrate the defence with his runs and get into the final third more often. Wenger keeps reiterating the fact that it is his dynamic game that makes him susceptible to injury, not necessarily the position he plays.
Jack has had some stellar performances for Arsenal playing in a more attacking position; the games against Montpellier, Manchester City, Marseille and Norwich immediately come to mind.
He has definitely worked on his ball control and seems to have more composure when he plays further forward in recent times. He has that extra drive when he drives at defences, which brings out his passion for the game.
Wenger also states how Wilshere is not the best at closing down opposition attackers and winning the ball back from the other team, which is another reason he shouldn’t play in front of the back four. This also brings a few bad defensive displays to mind. If we had a Viera or a Matic in our team playing beside him it wouldn’t have mattered, but with the likes of ageing Arteta and Flamini, it surely is a concern.
Jack also seems to enjoy making the runs forward trying to emulate his hero Messi’s runs into the box. He’s mentioned in recent interviews how he’s watching videos and learning from Xabi Alonso and Pirlo.
I personally feel he’s spending that time instead playing FIFA and scoring countless goals by dribbling his way into the box; in other words, his fantasy is to be an attacking midfielder with the liberty to lose the ball when a dribble goes wrong, without too many repercussions.
Wilshere definitely is an extremely talented young boy with immense love for the game and his passion and spirit in the game can never be questioned.
However, the question every Gooner asks himself is whether Wilshere will ever get a decent run of games without picking up an injury. The question remains if young Jack will ever be fit enough to become an Arsenal legend, or will he remain an unfulfilled potential for Arsenal, under the care of his fatherly figure, Arsene Wenger.
