Just days before Arsenal kick off their 2016/17 Premier League campaign, Arsene Wenger and Jack Wilshere have been saying nice things about each other.
Speaking at an event to mark the start of the new season, the two men underlined how much they value each other; the boss pinpointing Wilshere as a fundamental cog in midfield and the England international touching on his manager’s hunger for success.
“He has a very big year ahead,” Wenger said of Wilshere. “His preparation [in pre-season] was encouraging – he had a little, little setback recently but it looks very minor.
“For us to have a great season, it’s important to have a great Jack Wilshere.”
Reflecting on his fitness woes over the last five years, Wilshere added: “I’ve been thinking for a few years that this has got to be the year that I don’t get injured, I thought that last year and then it was my worst year. Hopefully, this is the year I get a long run.”
We concur…although it looks as though he’ll miss out on Sunday.
Asked for his opinion on where Wenger stands in the pantheon of great managers gracing England’s top flight this year, Wilshere couldn’t help but praise the man who has stewarded his whole career.
“I see the same hunger, if not even more,” said Wilshere. “He’s been great over the years, he’s a top manager. I know the Premier League has added some of the best managers in the world, but for me the boss is up there.
“Everyone keeps saying it’s going to be his last year but he keeps going. I think he really feels he can win something and do something special with this team.”
If Wenger is to win the league, he’ll have to succeed in what he’s described as a ‘world championship’ of managers.
“It’s a very exciting season, there are so many ambitions out there,” the Frenchman told Sky Sports News. “It’s a little bit of a world championship of managers.
“Let’s not be naive, the economical power of the Premier League attracts the best players and the best managers. If you want quality people, you have to pay the amount of money.
“Today the Premier League is the most powerful as well as the most attractive and maybe the most popular in the world. Every manager thinks today: ‘If I want to be recognised as a top manager, I have to go through the Premier League.’”
I’ll try very much to hold my breath for Jack to do well but the statistics say otherwise and my heart feels we have kind of moved on from his hype.. Sad to say but the truth.
All the best Jack.
Comment:Xhak Wilshere’ Coq
Gotta fit Rambo in there somewhere!
I love you Jack I really do but he needs to contribute in a meaningful way this season. He’s had rotten luck with injuries with a ridiculous amount of impact injuries that would’ve put most on the shelve but now, now is his time. Would love him to have a barnstormer of a season. Didn’t he win young player of the year when he played 35 league games a few years back? Man of the match in 5 or 6 consecutive England games in the last year or so. COME ON JACK! COME ON YOU GOONERS!!! I’ve got myself all… Read more »
I read “blah, blah, blah, blah, SETBACK, blah, blah, blah…”
Wilshere at this moment is a luxury. Superb asset to have but not reliable enough to be counted on.
If he didn’t sustain all these injuries, I wonder how many of our CMs would be around. Maybe we wouldn’t have gotten Elneny. I’ll give Wenger credit for getting these guys and slightly easing the pressure for him to rush back from injury.
Hopefully he stays fit for at least 25-30 games. Useful as a AM, CM and of course on the right (which he doesn’t seem to realize)
And which position for Jack (the one who can’t be criticised even if his performances are generally mediocre)? At Özil’s place like two seasons ago (for the damage of the start of the season?)? Where will Wenger’s blind trust put him this season?
Probably on the right wing or as a box-to-box over Ramsey. Wenger has shaped this team around ozil. Would be a real stupid thing to take him off.
I’m already at that stage where I’m lowering my expectations and hoping the team keeps things together till Christmas, where I’ll be hyped to think we’ll finally make the necessary signings. FML
Wenger trusts Wilshere to talk shit about spuds -> Wilshere trusts Wenger to put him back in training wayyyy too early.
i’m not surprised he’s praising the manager. i’d be kissing ass too if i had done squat to earn the wages he’s on. you can’t be out of the game for that long and still expect to be the player you once were. i’m afraid it’s over for this prodigy. squad player at best, but might be time to move him on. west ham could be a good option for him.
With fans like ours….! FFS show some support!