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With Jack Wilshere set to return from a long-term injury imminently, Jonathan Kaney has assessed whether the England international should be a starter in the side.
With Jack Wilshere returning to the squad after missing the season through so injury, Arsene Wenger has a selection problem on his hands with Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla also on the road back.
The issue of Wilshere’s place in the side is a divisive one amongst Gooners, with some believing he can be a superstar for us if he remains injury free and others seeing him as a lost cause ravaged by injury and an almost forgotten man at the Emirates.
He might seem like he’s been around forever, but he is still only 23-years-old. When he comes back from this unfortunate injury, he still has plenty of time in his career, not only to regain his fitness, get back into the first team and find form, but to reach the monumental potential he’s shown in the past for both club and country, that could see him become of the best players in the world.
It’s those with short memories who forget what Jack Wilshere brings to the table. It was a only a few years ago, in our 2-1 Champions League victory over Barcelona in 2011, where at just 21 years old he was at the centre of everything in attack and defence and outplayed two of the best midfielders in the world in Xavi and Iniesta. He led us to a historic victory over the eventual trophy winners and was heralded at one of the best prospects in world football and a future Arsenal and England captain.
He is coming back after a long spell out though and it will take him awhile to get his match fitness and sharpness and he cannot expect to walk straight back into the first-team. With the options around him he will have a tough job to do so.
He is never going to displace Ozil in his preferred attacking midfield role, or replace Ramsey in the midfield. With Santi and Coquelin the clear first choice central midfielders, Elneny challenging, Sanchez guaranteed on the left and Campbell, Walcott and the Ox on the right, it will be tough to find a place for him in the first-team without an injury or suspension.
In saying that, with a crucial period of the season yet to come, his return alongside Danny Welbeck is a huge boost to the squad as we look to shake off the nerves and challenge for the title, FA Cup and Champions League.
If he can stay fit, this year could well be the year he comes back to reach his potential and force his way back into the first-team.
