Jack Wilshere is one name that Arsenal fans around the world love hearing. Wilshere, who became a regular in the Arsenal red and white in the 2010-11 season, quickly went on to become one of the best teenagers to have ever played for Arsenal. It was simply the magic in his touch, the lion in his heart, and more than anything, his love for Arsenal that won all Arsenal fans' hearts.
The Rise:
In the 2007-08 season, Wilshere caught the eye of the most important person at Arsenal at that time, the boss Wenger himself. He was immediately made a part of the first team from the following campaign. In 2009, Jack Wilshere became Arsenal's youngest ever player to feature in the Premier League and the Champions League at just 16 years of age. His impact on the football world was so strong that he made the cover of the 2011 EA Sports game FIFA 12. By the next season, he had become a key player in the starting lineup and Arsenal hearts under Arsène Wenger. In 2013, after Robin van Persie's departure, it was decided that Jack would go on to wear the number 10 shirt at Arsenal. With one stellar performance after another, he was in line to become one of the best number 10s to have graced the beautiful game. One of the best games of his career would be the 2012 UEFA Champions League round of 16 fixture against Barcelona when 19-year-old Jack Wilshere put on a 10 rating performance.
The Fall:
The seeds of the downfall of young Jack Wilshere had been sown early in the 2011-12 pre-season friendly tournament Emirates Cup match against NY Red Bulls when Wilshere sustained a stress fracture to his left ankle. It was an ugly injury with Wenger saying it was better than what he had expected even though Jack was ruled out until Feb 2012. Slowly moving through the years, injuries became a big problem for Wilshere. He spent almost half of most of the next seasons on the sidelines. He also faced a lot of criticism from fans and media over his ill-discipline off-pitch and his habit of smoking. By 2017, Wilshere had lost the 'Dependable' tag off his back because he was not one Wenger could depend on week-in week-out due to his recursive injuries. But he never failed to show his genius in the matches that he managed to play. Eventually, with the departure of Wenger and the arrival of new boss Unai Emery, Jack Wilshere did not seem to be a regular inclusion in Emery's plans. In 2018, Jack Wilshere left Arsenal to join West Ham United. He has not been able to pick his career up since then due to his repeated spells on the sidelines.
What brings Jack back to Arsenal minds this season?
It would be an understatement to call Mikel Arteta's Arsenal lackluster this season. Towards the end of the season, Arsenal stand 11th in the table having played 33 games in the Premier League and being knocked out of all other club competitions except the Europa League. Winning the Europa League remains the only chance for Arsenal to make it to European season next season. The quality and reliability of Arsenal's attack has been poor this season. Also, the midfield is nowhere close to the quality midfield that Arsenal used to line up with until a few seasons ago.
Arsenal had the opportunity to bring Jack Wilshere back to the club at the beginning of the season when he had mutually terminated his contract with West Ham United over game time issues. Many reports claimed as though Wilshere was ready to take a hefty pay cut and indeed was also ready to sign a 'pay per played match' contract. But Arsenal did not procure the still talented ex-Gunner and he signed for AFC Bournemouth in the Championship. Wilshere is playing regular football at Bournemouth and is beginning to give glimpses of his best days. There is a good chance that he would be back in the Premier League next season with Bournemouth sitting 4th in the Championship table.
Dear Arsenal fans, let us know in the comments if you still fancy Jacky Boy in Arsenal colours?
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