Arsene Wenger says that although Jack Wilshere shouldn’t have reacted to a late challenge when playing for the Arsenal U23s during the week, he understands why he did.
The midfielder was subject to a number of late tackles during the game, and took exception to one midway through the second half. He pushed his opponent, who pathetically went to ground clutching his face, before becoming involved with another rat-faced City player, leading to his dismissal.
The set-to continued into the tunnel and drew overwrought headlines from the worst clickbait merchants.
Asked if he understood Wilshere’s reaction, the Arsenal manager said, “At my stage and with my experience in football I can understand a lot, especially what happened to him.
“Ideally he should not have responded at all but when you have gone through what he has gone through, you can see with this bad tackle it was a human reaction.
“At the moment he is working very, very hard to come back from his fracture so another setback would be terrible, and I think it was a bad tackle.”
With less than 12 months remaining on his current deal, Wilshere’s future has been the subject of much speculation, with Wenger hinting that his injury problems might be the determining factor in any new offer from the club.
“You know how much I love Jack and his talent. I started him at the age of 17, but today in the football world you need a consistent presence.
“What is at stake for Jack is not his quality, not his talent, not his determination, it’s his consistent presence at the top and I hope he can do that.
“Nobody questions his quality here.”
Earlier, the manager provided the latest team news ahead of the Liverpool game on Sunday, and there was some good news about a couple of players returning to the squad.
Get the passion onto the pitch, aimed at getting us to win games. I hope Jack still has a future here, he could be great if he can harness his talents.
The passion is there, no doubt. But I think the crux of the matter here is fitness. His passion – no matter how intense – won’t amount to much in the physio room or the sidelines.
“Nobody questions his quality here.”
I do. And i bet Bournemouth (that were better without him) would do as well…
One again we’ve got a player Wenger’s trained for years and for whom he is totally blind…
As Wilshire played most games for Bournemouth I cannot see why you say they were better without him. Pure spite.
What happened to the often used assertion that “A player is only as good as the players he has around him”? In other words, Lionel Messi – as good as he is – would not lead Deportivo Lacoruna to the La Liga title.
Just to let you know, Jack created the most chances for Bournemouth last season.
I’m not against you questioning his ability….I would just like you to back it up with facts….eg how many games Bournemouth on without Jack vs with Jack, big chances created etc
Well, thank heavens you’re not the Arsenal manager, then.
“What is at stake for Jack is not his quality, not his talent, not his determination, it’s his consistent presence at the top and I hope he can do that. Nobody questions his quality here.”
Love it!
I’d rather a fit Jack along with Xhaka.
At least he won’t go on merry adventures to run beyond our strikers to have a summer camp on the opposition box and leaving our midfield exposed.
The problem with these merry adventures is that Wenger is either telling Ramsey to do it, or he’s not stopping him in doing so.
What????…”merry adventures to run beyond our strikers” is what epitomises Jack…we all adored that about him, and everyone showered him with praise for exactly…I remember how he blew away Brazil in a particular game precisely because of those runs…..
Two lefties playing alongside each other? How balanced would that be?
Am I the only one here who dreams of Jack’s return?
Well said Wenger, the talent is undeniable. He is Cazorla’s heir if and only if he can stay fit. Remember Cazorla got better with age.
Consistent presence, what like Abou Diaby?
He gave him time, and a new contract.