It's becoming an increasingly popular belief on these forums that Jack Wilshere is proving to be little more than an average midfielder who's still living off the hype from one half-decent match against Barcelona a few years ago. Indeed, just yesterday, Wilshere was harangued for yet another underwhelming display against Norway.
I hadn't actually had the chance to watch the game live, so when I went to watch a replay of the match, I was anticipating a drab performance from the diminutive midfield. But what I saw was very different.
Far from just sideways passing and giving the ball away - as a number of comments had led me to believe would be the case - I saw what was a very positive, very creative game from Wilshere.
You could count the number of times Wilshere gave the ball away on one hand - and most of the times he did it was when in the final third actually trying to prise open a very stubborn Norwegian backline; he was willing to receive the ball in even the tighest of spaces; he spread the play well; and was fouled a number of times as his opponents stuggled to deal with his driving runs from deep.
And aside from this good general play, there were a number of key highlights. In the first half alone:
-Quarter of an hour into the game, 40 yards out from goal, Wilshere weighted a perfect lofted through ball over the top of the defence and straight to the feet of an on-running Chamberlain for what would have been a clear cut chance had the latter's control not let him down.
-A few minutes later, Wilshere picked up the ball in his own half, drove past his marker before taking a further 2 Norwegian players out of the game through a give-and-go with Sterling, touched it beyond another man and played a reverse pass straight to the feet of Rooney inside the box, who then got the ball stuck between his feet which broke down what should have been a potentially goalscoring move.
-10 minutes later, Wilshere played yet another lofted through ball, this time to the feet of Sturridge, who couldn't manage to take the ball in his stide, allowing Nordtveit to recover. From the same move, however, Wilshere received the ball in an advanced position, touched the ball between 2 defenders and, IMO, should have received a penalty.
On this particular subject, I saw the Hoddle et al mentioned that Wilshere didn't deserve a penalty because he was 'already going down'. I hear this a lot as if it renders it not a foul, but according to the FIFA, it should be deemed a foul if an opponent attempts to kick, trip, or attempts to kick or trip an opponent. Nordtveit wasn't getting the ball, and he was going to make impact had Wilshere not raised his right ankle and went to ground.
This begs the same question posed by some of the ITV punditry team: why did Wilshere not stay up and wait for contact?
Note that it was Wilshere's right foot that he drew away from the challenge - the same foot which required reconstructive ankle surgery and 17 months on the sidelines. Why take the impact and risk re-injuring said ankle in what is ultimately a largely unimportant friendly match?
Regardless of whether you feel Wilshere should have stayed on his feet in that particular instance, it shouldn't detract from the skill and drive shown by Wilshere to create the opportunity, nor should we forget any of the other aforementioned excellent pieces of play.
Wilshere hasn't risen to the heights expected of him in the last couple of seasons, but with the rise of Ramsey and the niggling injury problems he has had following his injury, he has been in and out of the team and has seldom got a chance to consistently play in his favoured position. Wilshere showed yesterday what he can do when given in a chance in a deep-lying central midfield role, and he did the exact same thing last week against Besiktas, where he was comfortably the best player on the pitch.
When Wilshere plays centrally, he's usually one of our brightest players. He glides past players for fun, has fantastic vision, and is fantastic at receiving the ball under pressure.
It's going to be a tough season for Jack, with competition from the likes of Ramsey, Ozil, Rosicky, and Cazorla, but regardless of whether he can establish himself as a mainstay in the side, Wilshere is anything but average.
'Average' Wilshere vs Norway
posted on 4/9/14
Thanks Godfather! I agree - the same thing happened with 'no brain' Walcott. After a certain amount of goals, assists, and match winning performances, everyone stopped talking about it.
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Its funny how we have all forgotten about that! Even spurs fans would swear Lennon was a better player just because everybody recycled the no football brain thing.
Didnt Hansen apologise aboput that before he left the BBC!
Personally I dont think walcott is an amazing out of the world player! One thing for sure is for most players playing at high speed he has far much better control and final delivery than soo many players.He has eventually matured into a good player.
Its the same thing when i watch Robben and Di Maria.Most frustrating footballers who were invredibly selfish and spend most of their time diving.Now both are UNBELIEVABLE players.I have to blink each time I watch Di maria now. I wrote him of as a player.
A lot of our players come in for a lot of stick but people forget how young our players are.
even if ozil has another rubbish year, he is 25! people conventiently forget how young he is.I am amazed when liverpool fans laugh at Ozil.
lallana is 26 years old!!!!!
posted on 4/9/14
comment by b10 (U18580)
posted 7 seconds ago
Thanks Godfather! I agree - the same thing happened with 'no brain' Walcott. After a certain amount of goals, assists, and match winning performances, everyone stopped talking about it.
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Its funny how we have all forgotten about that! Even spurs fans would swear Lennon was a better player just because everybody recycled the no football brain thing.
Didnt Hansen apologise aboput that before he left the BBC!
Personally I dont think walcott is an amazing out of the world player! One thing for sure is for most players playing at high speed he has far much better control and final delivery than soo many players.He has eventually matured into a good player.
Its the same thing when i watch Robben and Di Maria.Most frustrating footballers who were invredibly selfish and spend most of their time diving.Now both are UNBELIEVABLE players.I have to blink each time I watch Di maria now. I wrote him of as a player.
A lot of our players come in for a lot of stick but people forget how young our players are.
even if ozil has another rubbish year, he is 25! people conventiently forget how young he is.I am amazed when liverpool fans laugh at Ozil.
lallana is 26 years old!!!!!
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Yep, Hansen said it's his one regret saying that Walcott had no brain!
It's crazy to think Ozil still has so many years ahead of him! Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott, Chamberlain, Welbeck, Ramsey, Wilshere, Gibbs, and Szczesny are all 25 and under. Since we're no longer in a position where we have to sell a big name every year, this bodes very well looking forward!
posted on 4/9/14
It's crazy to think Ozil still has so many years ahead of him! Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott, Chamberlain, Welbeck, Ramsey, Wilshere, Gibbs, and Szczesny are all 25 and under. Since we're no longer in a position where we have to sell a big name every year, this bodes very well looking forward!
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I was disappointed like most when arsene did not sign a mobile defensive midfielder.For me that was the number one signing for the summer.But once things have settled down I've realized that he thinks long term and we all think short term.
He knows the core of his squad is 25 and below.If he can keep them together he knows inevitably they will become the best.
Our high profile foreigners (Sanchez,Ozil) have already won loads of trophies.As long as they buy into the ideals of the manager and love life in london, they will be happy to be part of something that eventually leads to lots of trophies.
It is important to note that the likes of RVP and Cesc stopped believing in the ideals of Wenger, esp RVP.
most players seem to be genuinely happy to be playing for arsenal, was surprised with welbecks interview talking about anticipating through balls from the likes of Ozil.Even chambers cant believe how he is starting a game for Arsenal football club.Its written all over his face.
As awful as Wengers decision making has been, there are certain things he is doing right and the number of players who want to play for him seem to grow in number.
posted on 4/9/14
comment by b10 (U18580)
posted 7 minutes ago
It's crazy to think Ozil still has so many years ahead of him! Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott, Chamberlain, Welbeck, Ramsey, Wilshere, Gibbs, and Szczesny are all 25 and under. Since we're no longer in a position where we have to sell a big name every year, this bodes very well looking forward!
--------------------------------
I was disappointed like most when arsene did not sign a mobile defensive midfielder.For me that was the number one signing for the summer.But once things have settled down I've realized that he thinks long term and we all think short term.
He knows the core of his squad is 25 and below.If he can keep them together he knows inevitably they will become the best.
Our high profile foreigners (Sanchez,Ozil) have already won loads of trophies.As long as they buy into the ideals of the manager and love life in london, they will be happy to be part of something that eventually leads to lots of trophies.
It is important to note that the likes of RVP and Cesc stopped believing in the ideals of Wenger, esp RVP.
most players seem to be genuinely happy to be playing for arsenal, was surprised with welbecks interview talking about anticipating through balls from the likes of Ozil.Even chambers cant believe how he is starting a game for Arsenal football club.Its written all over his face.
As awful as Wengers decision making has been, there are certain things he is doing right and the number of players who want to play for him seem to grow in number.
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Agreed For all Wenger's flaws, he's been pivotal in bringing in some high-profile players - particularly Ozil - to the club.
posted on 4/9/14
As awful as Wengers decision making has been, there are certain things he is doing right and the number of players who want to play for him seem to grow in number.
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Thats what I find annoying about the WOB's, Wenger has influence in the game, this is why Real etc tap him up every year. His name carries weight.
But back to Ozil. I do find it frustrating that he is picked on regarding his performance. Non Gooners are already laughing at us when we said this will be his season.
Little do they realise that one (if not the best) No 10 (as said by Mourinho) is not playing a No10 role, he is shifted out on the wing where he is less affective.
When Walcott is back or when Wenger decides to use OX or Campbell on the left and shift Ozil inside, we will see what he can do........
Its obvious to any true football fan on why his season hasn't yet pushed off......its like Falcao playing in defence and we all laugh at Man U that he is not scoring goals.....
posted on 4/9/14
The WOBs do have a point.Wenger is the reason why we cant challenge the likes of Chelsea & City as he refuses to compete for the best players in weak positions.
However with those flaws he has still got us competing for top 4 consistently and we dont seem to struggle to get the best players.People claim geography plays a part but Spurs seems to battle secure the targets they want and last time I checked they are also in north london.
We dont pay the highest wages but lots of players genuinely want to play for the gunners even with their perceived lack of ambition or making up the numbers.
posted on 4/9/14
I watched him closely versus Besiktas and he did 90% of everything he did brilliantly, then he had to make a decision, a shot or a pass, and he messed up every time
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Except for the two times he put it on a plate for Sanchez?
posted on 4/9/14
What a fantastic article. 5 stars
posted on 4/9/14
Thankyou, Penguin
posted on 4/9/14
comment by Penguin - Jenkinson is going to be recalled, g... (U13630)
posted 2 hours, 11 minutes ago
What a fantastic article. 5 stars
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Remember when Penguin used to write fantastic articles? Long time ago now, though...