Jack Wilshere faces crunch time at Arsenal, as Arsène Wenger challenges midfielder to show consistency http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...hallenges-midfielder-to-show-consistency.html Wenger also claimed that Wilshere is finally over the chronic ankle problems that have hampered him ever since the midfielder made his first-team breakthrough at 16 years and 256 days and became the youngest-ever player to feature for the club in a league match (against Blackburn Rovers). âHe was until now a doubt a little bit through injuries,â Wenger said. âAt the top-level you need to be consistent with your presence. You can play six, seven, eight games and rest one or two but you have to play six, seven on the trot. I think he will be capable of doing it. He prepares well. He has no ankle problem any more. It could be his year.â Wenger said: âHeâs 22. Yes, I agree with the experience he has. I donât consider him any more as a guy who starts the game [at the beginning of his career]. I consider him as a player. He has the experience and for him the problem until now was medical. I think heâs over it now. Itâs the first time Iâve seen him not miss a session since the start of the [pre-season] preparations. Itâs an important year for Jack. Very important.â Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams believes the signing of Ãzil should be seen as both a threat and a spur by Wilshere. âHe should have taken it as a personal insult that Arsenal went out and signed Ãzil when they already had the same talent. âHad they bought a German centre half in my playing days Iâd have wanted to prove Iâm head and shoulders better â thatâs what Jack must do with Ãzil.â I think this will be a very tough season for Wilshere as he faces an uphill ask of breaking into our first 11. With a fully fit squad, he will start on the bench, but how will he cope with this? The only real spot in contention is the DM type Arteta spot, and Wenger has already said that he does not see him there (which I agree with totally). His primary spot is an AM central spot, which is reserved by Ozil without question, only a catastrophic dip in form would give Wilshere an opportunity, but he'll also be competing with Rosicky and Cazorla. Ramsey's spot is the other one but Ramseys form last season has made him a nailed on starter. The other options are on the flanks, but a fit Sanchez, Walcott, OXO, Podolski and Cazorla have priority over him. I think that Tony Adam's made a good point about the Ozil signing, Wilshere should use it as a source of motivation to outdo his counterpart on the field. Wilshere is very talented and has bags of ability. But he will be faced with long periods on the bench and will have to keep his spirits up so when the chance does come, he fully maximises it and makes a place of his own.
To be fair though. Wilshere and Ozil don't occupy the same position or role in the team. I've said before this could be the make or break Season for Jack. He needs to stay fully fit and get that sharpness back into his play. Hopefully then he can push on and start to live up to his undoubted potential.
