Arsenal's Enigmatic Midfielder Is Still Dividing Opinion

Arsenal's Enigmatic Midfielder Is Still Dividing Opinion
11:33, 14 Dec 2017

When Pep Guardiola and Xavi cannot agree on how good you are, what hope have the rest? The former was of the opinion that Jack Wilshere was no better than a Barcelona reserve player, whilst the latter classed him as amazing. The list goes on but whether it is Fabio Capello, Cesc Fabregas or any other the countless opinions, the only things that stay in common, are that he is worth talking about and that nobody can agree why. As Arsenal once again have the midfielder fit and back amongst the first team the, enigma that is Jack will continue to cause debate.

The debate about Wilshere is only worth noting because he is a talented individual. The reason it is so divided is because his application, attitude and positioning are, yet, impossible to pinpoint.

Former Arsenal Captain Tony Adams, upon the purchase of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid, said that Jack should be insulted by the move as Arsene Wenger already had him for this position but chose not to use him. Eddie Howe agreed with this point whilst the 25-year-old was on loan at Bournemouth and played him there declaring he doubted he had the legs for a deeper role. He has also featured for Arsenal here on many an occasion and it is perhaps the biggest argument that the number 10 role is in fact his best position.

Wenger is still unconvinced however, Arsenal’s youngest ever debutant against Blackburn at 16, has over 100 games under his belt and it is somewhat baffling that this debate still rumbles on. Part of the argument is because whether as an attacking midfielder, playing wide right or as a deep lying playmaker he has produced good performances. Against Marseille for instance back in 2013 he scored twice in a 2-0 win ironically playing wide right, potentially his worst position. Roy Hodgson insisted he would be England’s answer to Andrea Pirlo (in later years) as did Fabio Capello. He again produced in this position but even though he has produced at International level in this role the jury is still out.

There are numerous reasons for this and the obvious one is his consistent injuries. Perhaps this is caused by his unorthodox running style and his love for taking players on. This draws fouls and his already weak frame and the positioning of his feet (due to the running style) at the point of impact of often mean that he is in the treatment room as much as he is on the pitch. Ankle injuries and malleolar injuries count for most of these, as well as a knee operation that kept him out for some time. It is reported that he has missed in the region of 1,013 days injured since 2009. There is a school of thought that perhaps he should change his style of play but the counter argument to this is whether this would take away from what he is.

Wilshere after all is loved by the fans. He loves the club and is an avid fan, his maverick style means that when he plays he is different, he draws the attention of the crowd as he is unpredictable. This is something that was seen in the trequartista of the 1980’s ad 1990’s, he plays as if he has all the time in the world. His isn’t the fittest, the fastest nor does he find the net enough but when his is in full flight he can change a game. He doesn’t play to the tempo of the game, he changes the tempo of it and his deft touches and incredible engine are why he is loved. It is true that his unprofessionalism at times means he is often a focus of the media. Nights out cigarettes and even ice-skating the day before a game, evidently are poor decisions but this is negated by his ability.

For Jack Wilshere to fulfil is potential is something people may never see. Perhaps his greatest strengths walk hand in and with his Achilles heel and this then means he will always be yo-yoing in and out of the team, in turn that makes many wonder about his best position and here we go again. Even if Jack falls somewhere between the analysis of Pepe and Xavi, the fact that potentially he could be even as good as this, is enough reason for Arsenal to sign him up to a new contract. He is a lot of money for a ‘what if’ but it will be a better then letting him leave, only to be proven wrong.

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