Jack Wilshere’s comeback continued with a goal for the Arsenal U21st last night, but the midfielder couldn’t help drive the team to a win as they went down 2-1 to West Brom.
Steve Gatting’s side needed a win from either of their last two games to secure promotion to Division One next season, but lost both, meaning they’ll now have to try and make it through the play-offs.
Having fallen behind, Wilshere equalised in the second half, but a 75th minute for the home team condemned Arsenal to defeat.
He played the full 90 minutes for the second game in succession, and although he picked up a knock in the first half which required some treatment, he’ll now be in Arsene Wenger’s thinking for what remains of this season.
At this point all we can do is get him involved, let him play, and see how his fitness holds up. The time for wrapping him in cotton wool is well and truly gone, so let’s see if he can add something to the team between now and mid-May.
He will be well used to disappointing results coming into the first team then…
Similar story for the U21s too then, bottled it! In all fairness, shit happens in football. I’m glad to see Jack playing again. Missed him this season. If we can’t get 3/4 of a season out of him next season, might be time to move him on. Need to be a bit more ruthless on our players now, they’ve all become complacent. The likes of Theo being comfortable on big money has just encouraged complacency and it’s just hurting everyone, the club, manager, us fans and even the players themselves. As much as I love some of the boys as… Read more »
Yep, bottled as usual, and that was a very strong team we put out. If Wilshere, Gnabry, Jeff, etc. can’t beat bloody West Brom, then questions have to be asked. Actually questions have to be asked about the under-21s all season, and last season, and the previous ten: it’s truly shocking that we got relegated in the first place and that nothing was done to avert the crisis, though the writing was on the wall a decade ago. Bould did a poor job when he was in charge, especially defensively (which is odd) but his reward for failure was promotion… Read more »
How did Arsenal FC decline in this way, right under our noses?
Didn’t Steve Bould win the FA Youth Cup as manager?
Sorry what?
“If we get 3/4 of a season out of him next season we should move him on…”
So just when we get him fit and playing again we should sell him?
I think you’re mistaking injury and complacency. Walcott is complacent. Wilshere is injured most of the time. There’s a massive difference.
Although I couldn’t agree more with your point about complacency, I do think it is somewhat misdirected.
He said if we CAN’T get 3/4 of a season out of him we should sell him, not ‘lets sell him once he’s fit’.
Miranda said: “If we can’t get 3/4 of a season….”
I do agree. I still want Wenger to stay, but on one condition, he gets rid of Theo and other players that aren’t performing.
“…he picked up a knock in the first half which required some treatment…”
Sounds unpleasantly familiar…
Lets hope the U-21 gets promotion cos we the amount of money/talent we have we shouldn’t be in division 2 at any level
Glad to hear Wilshere is back in time to ensure we finish 4th
My nan could add something to our team between now and mid-May.
Having said that Dr. Mark Bonar is her GP so I should have known her Kilimanjaro climb was out of character.
Well we play Norwich soon…….
Even the kids bottle it lol
‘Steve Gatting’s side needed a win from either of their last two games to secure promotion to Division One next season, but lost both’ Well.. Arsenal that.
Would love to see him spank a few England-style screamers in over the next few games! Welcome back, Jack!
might as well use him in 3-4 more reserve games. we dont need to bring him back quickly in the first team. take as much time as you need jack.
We the resources and players we have at U21 (including those like Wilshere and Rosicky playing for them) shocking we can’t be stronger.
Love Jack and his silly bucket hat.
I hope he stays fit forever.
I hope he stays at Arsenal forever.
I hope he gets to taunt Sp*rs on many, many more trophy parades.
Well seems they arsenaled it too, just like the professional squad
Jonker to be next arsenal manager. I can feel it
Much as I love Jack and the little Mozart under 21 they ain’t and this season’s malaise seems to have permeated right down through the ranks. I reckon I’ll trade my season ticket in for the Arsenal ladies next year. They try harder and at least I can have fantasies about screwing them instead of the gunners screwing me every match day
Gatting looking like the arsenal equivalent of Pep at Barca.
He’s clearly next in line for the first team.
Jack Wilshere is top top quality in my opinion, sorry to use that famous Wenger phrase! His fitness would deliver us something special in my opinion and there has never been a sniff of complacency.
I do subscribe to previous opinions that we can’t plan him as a significant player for our 2016/2017 campaign and his availability should not impact the bringing in of new players or even how the expected bench would look. That can only come after a season which is close to injury-free.