Arsene Wenger says it’s important for Jack Wilshere to play at the European Championships this summer as the midfielder looks to make something of a season which promised much but delivered little.
The 24 year old had come through pre-season well and was all set for the new campaign when a training ground tackle left him with a broken leg. The comeback has been delayed and delayed, and the Arsenal manager believes if he can play a part in England’s summer then it will be a good thing for him.
“You want your players to compete,” said Wenger. “When you’re a footballer you want to compete at the top level and what is important is that Jack, who is frustrated enough, regains confidence.
“It’s very important for his confidence that he can go to the Euros and he can play.”
When asked if it would be a gamble for Roy Hodgson to pick him, the Frenchman continued, “If he’s completely fit, no. When you’re a national team coach, you can take a gamble on one player but certainly not on five.
“Roy Hodgson has to consider the whole situation. You can certainly take a chance on just one player.”
Any caution or conservatism Arsenal fans may have over Wilshere’s participation should probably be left to one side.
If he can come through the summer and play some football without any problems, it’s good for us. If he struggles with injury again, it may well solidify the manager’s thinking about his place in the squad ahead of the new season.
Not quite sink or swim, but let’s hope it’s more the latter than the former.
WIlshere is England’s best by far.
Hmmm this Wilshere injury problem a big headache. To be honest right now players like Dele Alli are right ahead of him in term of development. When Wilshere comes to the pitch he’s too one way, attempts too many dribble though he doesn’t loose the ball half as much as Sanchez. Anyways Wilshere career if he’s not careful might be the one of fairytale of how he could have been world class etc.
Will there be Jack Wheelchair access onto the England team bus? I don’t know.
What I do know is I’m grabbing my coat.
Too late, we’ve set your coat on fire
off topic, but some nice classy tributes in the Arsecast today, especially for Gary Shandling! A very underrated comic!
‘Jack Wheelchair’.. seriously harsh comments there.. its not as if he’s been injured on purpose.
Sad to consider how much of his career he has already missed. At 24 he’s barely had two full seasons, and when you think his break-out season was when we was 18, that’s almost half of his career gone without any real opportunity to develop through consistent performances. Such a good player to watch when on song though, and can’t wait for the ovation on his return. Super Jack.
I thought you were talking about theo
A fit Wilshere will have the same impact a fit RVP had on us. I hope he has an injury free season next.
The RVP comparison is a great one. Jack has plenty of time to have a fantastic career at both club and national teams. He looked fantastic for both when he came back last season. Fingers crossed he can have the same impact again. It feels strange to say this but when you look at what he can do, he would have made a huge impact on our season IF he could have stayed fit.
Am I the only one who couldn’t give a hoot about Wilshere playing for England? I’d much rather he completes a full pre season for us rather than gad about with the likes of Jordan Henderson. He can’t possibly learn anything from the kind of dross we have in the national team. And obviously, the chances of him not returning, once we have gone out in the first round, without being broken are slim to none. And I think I can see slim disappearing over the horizon.
I agree. Why rush back to play for England. Pre-season and a slow introduction to the end of this season. Next year is critical for him to show he can remain injury free. If he is injured again for a lengthy period, he may go the path of Jack Diaby. I believe there is a major risk to his career if he is injured again.
DON’T RUSH BACK FOR EUROS.
It would be good for us if he stays fit… I like him alot
Chances are he’ll have a brilliant Euros for England but then come back to us and pick up a training ground injury that rules him out for most of the season. I’m hoping for the best as I feel he’s a fantastic player for us when fit.
I was personally never close to playing professional football but I was lucky to have played with a few players throughout the years when i was younger who were “naturally talented”, as in they really stuck of out the crowd when they were in possession. I remember teammates who could see a pass that nobody else had thought of, the ball would just stick to their feet, while some possessed incredible technique when striking the ball and could always get a shot away and score, or just being able to read the game miles ahead of everyone else and anticipate/make… Read more »
Luxury player!!!
Luxury fan!!
Sherepower
I hope Jack is back, in the words of Take That……..”want you back, want you back, want you back for good”…Here’s hoping… good luck Jack. COYG!
Wilshere should forget about playing in the Euros and concentrate on getting fit for next season.
Jack Who?
Oh yeah , Jack Wilshere.
He was the player that blew us all away five years ago.
Incredibly talented.
Then came the rest of it…….pipes, hot tubs, night clubs and of course…..injuries, (yeah, I know, not necessarily in that order).
It’s been a devastating period for the player and his fans.
I just can’t get enthusiastic anymore about Jack, cause I want him back so bad, but I don’t believe it’s gonna happen.
Sorry.