Arsenal's Jack Wilshere has time on his hands

An international break for Arsenal fans usually means moping about the points we have dropped and analysing all the hypothetical players we could have bought in the transfer window who would have “definitely” helped them be in a better position. There would have been discussions on all possible forums about how the manger should have played a certain player in a certain position in a certain match. And then do it for every player in every position in every match. In short, international breaks are tedious for the Gunners.

But not this time, though. This time, Arsenal fans are actually impatient that the international break has come at the wrong time. Going on an incredible run of 10 wins on the trot, the juggernaut was only halted by a tenacious West Bromwich Albion side that were filled with confidence following their win against the defending champions Manchester United. Arsenal did manage to eke out a draw thanks to Jack Wilshere’s goal, in the process gaining a valuable point against a not-so-easy team.

One of the raging topics, if you can call it that, considering there is nothing bad to write about Arsenal for the media, is the form, or lack of it, of Wilshere. Just a year ago, he was considered the golden boy of Arsenal and England. Ever since he did not perform satisfactorily in the previous international break, the English media has gone hammer and tongs on him.

They were keen to point out that Wilshere is supposed to be the future of English football, and that he cannot afford to put in such abject such performances. Ironically, the same media failed to look at the performances of the rest of the players in the team, who were equally to blame, if not worse, for England’s misery.

Perhaps it is easy to forget that Wilshere is only 21 years of age; a period in which footballers tend to start maturing and are still in the process of learning more about the game. Expecting a 21 year old to carry the country’s hopes on his shoulder is insane and would only add unneeded pressure on him, when he could do well to learn from the experienced players. With the focus all on him, it is no longer possible for Wilshere to make a mistake, especially while playing for England.

In fact, it almost looks as if the English media has taken it upon itself to target the young midfielder this season. Last week, he was pictured having a cigarette in his mouth outside a night club. While it is definitely not advisable for footballers to be indulging in habits that can ruin their professional career, it definitely did not deserve the kind of attention it did.

It should have been left to Arsene Wenger and Roy Hodgson to deal with the youngster and ensure that such acts are not repeated again. Even fans took to Twitter taking the high road and slating Jack about how irresponsible he was to be smoking cigarettes when he should know better.

It is important for fans, at least Arsenal fans, to remember that he is still a very young man and has a lot to learn. There will be periods where he will not perform well in matches, and times when he might lose his head and do something rash. It is in such times that he needs the support of fans so that he can learn from his mistakes and improve as a football player and as a person.

Wilshere has not done himself any favours either. Ever since he was noticed in the reserve squad as a precocious teenager, he has always shown his talent whenever he took the field. Irrespective of whether it was an inconsequential reserve game or an important first team match, he always brought his 100% to the game, and then some. This has raised the expectations of supporters, and therefore, whenever there is even a slight dip in form, questions are immediately raised.

A case in point is his excellent performance against Barcelona as an eighteen year old. He was the man of the match in that particular game, and he caught the interest of England and the rest of the world. People always remember such performances, and all future efforts will be benchmarked against such extraordinary display of skill.

Wilshere may be feeling the pressure as his place in the team is no longer a given, since the arrival of Mesut Ozil. While the 3 creative midfielders would definitely be switching positions, it would not be the case once we see the return of Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. His place in the side would be a tossup and therefore he might be feeling the need to impress the manager every time he plays.

This, inadvertently, means that he is putting an unnecessary load, and is perhaps consciously trying for that something extra instead of allowing his natural game to flourish. When it comes off, like that pass to Giroud against West Brom, it looks good. But more often than not, it will lead to losing possession, as was the case for the better part of the first half in the same game.

Wenger may have had a talk with him in the half time interval, as the Wilshere of the second half was miles better than what was on show in the first period.

Also, supporters are forgetting the fact that Wilshere is no longer playing as the deep lying playmaker, a role in which he is most comfortable in. Instead, Arsene Wenger is playing him in the wide roles, a la Aaron Ramsey of last year, claiming that it will improve his football knowledge and help in his education. The way Ramsey has exploded this season, I for one, would be willing to let Wilshere have a few bad games.

If it means that he will come back next season, if not sooner, with more goals, then it will be well worth the wait!