163 days. That’s how long Jack Wilshere had to wait for a first team comeback following surgery on his McNaired ankle. Given the circumstances last night’s 22 minute cameo against Hull City was very impressive.
A lung-bursting run made moments after entering the fray set the tone for a performance full of hustle and bustle. There was no rustiness, just eagerness. For those with short memories it served as a timely reminder of the talent at the 23-year-old’s disposal.
Speaking after the game to Arsenal.com the England midfielder couldn’t hide his enthusiasm at making a return:
“It’s frustrating when you’re out but when you’re back on the pitch it makes up for all the time you spent injured.
“It’s much better for me to come into a team who are winning and playing as well as that. It’s easy because you can fit in when the boss is ready to include you.
“I’m just happy to get back on the pitch and get some minutes under my belt. I feel fitter for it, I’ll train next week and hopefully get some minutes next week as well.”
The 3-1 victory at the KC Stadium keeps the Gunners on track for a second place finish; a decade-long high that Wilshere thinks could set the tone for the next campaign.
“[Finishing second] would set a marker for next season and would be a progression from last year,” he continued.
“The last few seasons we’ve finished fourth so to finish two places ahead of that would be a massive progression for us and hopefully will give us confidence going into next season.”
“We knew [Hull] were going to come out because they’re fighting for their lives, but we expected that,” he continued.
“We soaked up the pressure well in the first half and our quality shone through. We’ve got players going forward who are some of the best in the world and they showed that.”
On Friday Arsene Wenger made clear that Arsenal have no intention of selling Wilshere in the summer, despite rumoured interest from the likes of Manchester City. In light of the squad’s form in his absence, it’s obvious Jack has a battle on his hands to nail down regular football at the Emirates. If last night is anything to go by, he looks like he might relish that opportunity.
I still see him as our future captain. Barcelona 2011. Such a class act!
Ageeed! That game is the benchmark jack set for himself and I can’t wait to see him reach and surpass it!
The new Rosicky? I saw similarities in dynamism and skill.
It is hard to hear any Arsenal fan say they want to see the back of Jack… The guy is one of our finest products of youth development. Just because he has been riddled by injuries (some down to his playing style) doesn’t mean we should cash out.
– 23 years of age
– one of the best English CM/AM
– Arsenal through and through and through….
Not gonna happen.
I thought he was great when he came on last night but he still needs to prove himself. Let’s home he can do it next season.
Seconded. Thought he was really effective coming off the bench, as he has been all season (when fit). He offers the same drive as Rosicky as a sub. If he can improve his fitness and offer that impact for the full 90 minutes he can really boss midfield a la Toure. He seemed to have rediscovered his acceleration and physicality in that brief cameo – it’s what I feel a lot of people don’t understand about Wilshere given his stature, he’s a very physical, domineering midfielder in my opinion.
He’s physical in the sense that Aguero is physical. They are able to absorb contact at speed and retain control of the ball until they get fouled or otherwise. Him and Toure are a different type of physicality, but I’d agree that he is a physical player. His return last season saw him bulk up quite a bit, seems to be the recommendation for a lot of our players who are out with long term injuries. That, or it’s those new Puma bodysuits they wear that make them look buffer.
When did Toure ever “boss” a midfield? This season he’s been disappointing. Last season he scored a lot of penalties. But he’s always been a lazy git. If you want an example of player that “bosses” midfield, look at an in-form Cazorla, Ramsey, Diaby, Iniesta, Xavi,…. Size has very little to do with it. Even Coquelin is pretty average sized: 5’11” and 165lb.
That’s a pretty big Coq
Actually, I made a mistake, Coquelin is 5’10”. He’s basically the same size as Bellerin, and smaller than Ozil, in fact. Coquelin is actually the 16th tallest (out of 29) and 10th heaviest in the squad, according to whoscored.com. So yes, he is actually average size.
You clearly don’t know what you talking about. Yaya toure was beast last season and the season before. Come now….
if the rest aren’t worried about Arsenal next season….
If Arsenal finish in the league above Chelsea next year, then Mourinho will be fearing for his job, again…
Wilshere has got loads of talent.Just needs to get injury free.If he gets game time,He can be a player we all thought he would be like.He showed the hunger and desire against hull yesterday.Hoping for the best for Wilshere and Arsenal.
#COYG
He was absolutely outstanding yesterday. He was just unluckly that a handball was between him and a goal yesterday.
Can’t wait to see him on the pitch again.
Should have two penalties v Hull, our Jack-in-the-box.
He was impressive.
Arsenal DNA. It’s time we had another one club career hero.
Now we just need ozil to teach him how to do those nonchalant mid air flicks and he’s all set.
Hopefully Ozil gives him a little passing timing advice that could extend his career!
Straight onto the pitch, straight into a full speed clattering.. Oof, Jacko, You make me cringe at times!
There are so much to look forward to next season. One is the contribution of a fit Wilshere. We have the best midfield in the prem which will get better by next season as they get to know each other better.
Meanwhile if United fail to beat CP (which is a distinct possibility), then we can seal third spot by next monday evening… Happy days.
I’d be happy if Manchester United were to lose out on the 4th spot to Liverpool. Highly unlikely, still Liverpool is a way more likeable club than Manchester Gloryhunting United.
@swede how can Liverpool be more likeable than Man U. It’s like comparing Maradona’s Argentina with Maradona’s Argentina!! F them both.
I just want to see RVP’s face as he lines up for Thursday night football in Khazakstan or something. Would love to see the mugsmashers best the MU to 4th…
RVP is the deciding factor. Go Liverpool.
That odious Gary Neville punditing is the deciding factor for me. EVEN if he’s retired! Then again, Michael Owen…
Yeah, fuck them both!
Neville is like the lunatic you see on a park bench screaming at the pigeons wearing tattered clothes soaked with his own urine
They are gloryhunting cunts, that’s why Liverpool is more likeable. The Manchester United crowd is unbelievably spoiled and only supports their team when they are having successful periods. Liverpool fans supports their team no matter what, which for me is valued a lot more. I don’t like either clubs, but for me the Manchester United fans, I just can’t stand them. I’d prefer Liverpool ahead of Manchester United especially after their £150m spending spree last summer.
Im very much looking forward to seeing Wilshere playing with Coquelin providing some defensive stability behind him. Hopefully that will liberate Jack and allow him to do what he does best..
The cynics call that run yesterday holding onto the ball too long, I call it winning a free kick on the edge of the box. If Aguero had done it the media would have been fawning over him, probably for the next fortnight. But I would like to see Jack play deeper and focus on dictating the play more like Fabregas does for Chelsea, he has the vision and the range of passing to do it. We’ve seen him do it consistently for England and in flashes last night, there was one perfect ball from deep out to the right… Read more »
I think the critics were referring to the fact that Jack holding onto the ball too long is what is actually making him injury prone. I don’t want cowardly players, but I think Jack makes himself vulnerable at times to these bad tackles.
Having said that, he looked really hungry and not afraid when he came on so that’s a good sign.
I can’t help but think that is simply to justify the tackles that are made on him though, no idea why they’d care about keeping cloggers reputations clean but if more yellows were handed out then maybe guys wouldn’t lunge in on Wilshere so much.
I’m not so much talking about the pundits on TV, quite honestly I couldn’t give a stuff about their sensationalist rubbish any more. I’m more talking about the Arsenal fans who haven’t learnt from the Aaron Ramsey story and would be quite happy to take £30m from Manchester City for Jack. The holding-onto-the-ball-too-long thing is a criticism they throw at him all the time. I agree that there are times when he needs to refine his play but to doubt his talent is farcical.
I think that just the pea brained cliche put forward by Neanderthal English journo’s and pundits. Of course blame the skilful player that brings you out of your seat it’s his fault for attempting all that flummery and while you’re at it applaud the simian thug whose response is to kick stamp and crush the skill out of them- that’ll show em.
All the while claiming that they are not that kind of player …shawcross, Essien, Taylor, Ramires and ivanovic
Phil Neville would’ve two-footed him.
I’m not by any means a critic, but what David said is frequently in my thoughts- top speed with the ball a little too far out ahead has cost him injuries a few times. Broken foot with England, this season, and aggregate fouls previous to that. I agree with the notion that if Jack were to play that 2nd deepest role- currently excellently occupied by Santi, and pick occasional runs into attack ala Santi and Fabregas, it’s something he seems well suited to. But that is exactly also Ramsey. This is going to be a continuing question. With Ozils and… Read more »
I think Jack’s passing from deep is more precise than Aaron’s, but Aaron times his forward runs better and offers more of a goal threat. There’s also the difference between them in terms of temperament on the pitch, and you can make a legitimate argument for either on that front. Oh whatever, I love both of them.
Welcome back Jack. We need that drive, energy and hustle sometimes. I hope all our key players stay fit for next season. The team is getting set
This is what many tend to forget, we have so much quality in depth. Jack gives us a different tool to break down teams with his drive He is the only one side for (when fit) Diaby who can do so, although there is a case for Ox as well from deep. That said, I much prefer the Ox out wide where he can effectively stretch play for us. Come the summer, we will do well to add to this capability with someone like Kongdogbia who can also add a bit of physique and cover DM. When you look at… Read more »
Who knows what would have happened if he came on against chelsea. Welcome back Jack.
I wish Arsenal has an injury free next season and we show to the world what we’re capable of and maybe it would seem a far fetched dream but to become the invincibles again.
Just need a world class CB.
Kos is, without doubt world class (73% win ratio when he plays, 39% win ratio without).
Per has over 100 German caps, does that qualify?
Gabriel has been called up for Brazil. So is getting there.
Chambers has 3 England caps, so is starting.
You can have too many players, unless you are playing fantasy football.
I agree with you. In defence we got the numbers now, at least 2 for every position in fact. Our only major concern for me in the squad comes at the heart of midfield if Coquelin is out injured. 1 of Flamini and Arteta should be replaced with some more physicality this summer. The dream solution is for Diaby to miraculously recover and be that person, but he has never really been (or was going to be) that physical DM we all wanted him to be. We may have to replace Theo, and GK may see some movement, but however… Read more »
It good to see j10 back and played well, good goals alexis and ramsey also arsenal fc players who have lasted throughout the seasons game to games with ox soon returning, a win was nice to see a gr8 come back with goal difference in table game in hand yes coyg
Dos thighs!
title of the article reminded me of the Who classic ‘Happy Jack’.
Looks like jack is ready and able to fight for a place in the squad, but same can’t be said for Theo!!
What a wonderful game Barcelona Bayern. Jack would love that but fucking Mourinho would hate it. That’s what football is all about.