Arsenal: Jack Wilshere Forgetful Of Age Hints At Underlying Problem

Jack Wilshere made the mistake of thinking that he was still 24 in an interview. While harmless, the mistake points at an underlying issue at Arsenal.

Arsenal have developed young players throughout Arsene Wenger’s tenure in North London. It has been a priority of his throughout his time to garner young talent from around Europe, trust his own coaching methods and grow them into established first team players capable of leading the squad to title challenges.

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The figurehead of this tactic, at least in recent years, has been Jack Wilshere. A local lad, honing his talent in the academy, blossoming into a first team player at the young age of just 16, and then becoming a star at just 18.

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Since that time, it has been a waiting game for fans to see Wilshere continue to develop into the central pillar on which the team is built is since then. Thanks, primarily, to injuries, Wilshere’s career trajectory has stagnated at best and plummeted at worst, so much so that he is currently on loan at Bournemouth for the season, with Wenger reasoning the he was not needed given the strength of the squad.

Recently, though, in an interview with Sky Sports, Wilshere made the mistake of saying that he is just 24. He is actually 25. While that is an honest, seemingly innocent error, it does point at an underlying issue within the Arsenal squad: the young players who excited so many fans regarding an apparently bright and prosperous future, are no longer that young anymore.

Aaron Ramsey, the man who was hoped would partner Wilshere in a world class central midfield pairing, is now 26. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is already 23. Kieran Gibbs is now 27 while Theo Walcott turned 28 on Thursday. It was this young, English core that headlined an exciting time at the club.

And now, all of them are either in their prime or about to enter their prime. And it’s fair to say that none have lived up to the expectations that were placed on them as talented youngsters. For all of the priorities that Arsenal have placed on developing young players, many of them have not delivered on their talent, and now the squad is far worse off for it.

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All of these player’s stagnation can be reasoned with their debilitating, continual, crippling injury issues that have significantly stented their development. However, there are still questions to be asked of Wenger and the club’s coaching methods. It is make or break for many of these player’s and history suggests they aren’t ever going to make it.