Professional football is a great game that comes with harsh lessons. That can be spoken no truer than for Jack Wilshere, who began his career with less of a bang and more of an explosion.
He burst onto the scene aged just sixteen back in 2008 and it was clear he was special. His first-touch, the way he could glide around players and his ability to spray the ball around the park – all the signs of a great central-midfielder were there. It may have been too early to compare him to the greats but watching him at his most untouchable, his most care-free really did draw comparisons to the likes of Xavi when he was young.
He wasn’t just the talk of Arsenal and their academy, he was the talk of England. As we all know far too well, England struggle in major competitions and Jack Wilshere really was seen as some sort of messiah at the time. Fans love a youngster that breaks onto the scene and quite simply, lets their football do the talking. No press controversies, no issues with form – just football.
And for a long time, it was just that. Right up until the 2014-2015 season he was one of Arsenal’s go-to midfielders. Off course, quality was added along the way in the shape of Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil but he was still the local lad that might go on to captain the team in the future.
But it was in November 2014 when things started to go down hill for the Stevenage-born man. An ankle ligament injury kept him sidelined for over three months and after a good start to the campaign, he went on to make only fourteen appearances in the league. Arsenal finished 3rd, twelve points behind Chelsea.
This theme very much continued through the 2015-2016 and right up until now but it’s the south coast where Wilshere will be for the current campaign. He needs games desperately and whilst some may turn their noses up to a move to the Cherries, if he can play well, get back in form and get fit, then he has every right to slot straight back into that Arsenal team.
A season-long move suits both parties well. It means Arsenal can develop some of the players they have on their books right now and for Bournemouth, it’s arguably their best ever signing. He’s already said to be inspiring his fellow South Coast colleagues and his form will have a massive say on how the Cherries do during the upcoming season.
What people shouldn’t expect from Wilshere is an ability to change a game week-in, week-out. Yes he’s a good player and yes he has been at the top. But right now, he’s not too dissimilar from a player coming out of an academy and into the senior squad for the first time.
His confidence will be low and easily knocked, especially if things don’t start well straight away. But he’ll need to ride that out- it’s what all top footballers do and have done during their careers.
Whatever happens at the Vitality Stadium there won’t be many, barring the odd Spurs fan, who won’t want to see Wilshere do well. There was so much potential all those years ago and he’ll be out to show that he hasn’t faded away.
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