Arsenal: Jack Wilshere winning race to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain void

Arsenal have an all-important spot on their bench following the exit of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere has emerged as the front-runner.

Arsenal offloaded Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, of which I am most happy with, especially given the return, and now we have this exciting new story to follow involving who will take the vacated spot on the first team, match day squad.

There are only two real candidates, and right off the bat, it should be obvious who the front-runner is, though there really needs to be a spot for both of them.

It’s between Jack Wilshere and Reiss Nelson. And clearly Wilshere is already making his frustration known, as he made a bit of a snarky comment about Tyrone Mings academy about not getting any game time. But it’s hard to see that as anything more than a joke. He’s only just now returned to full health and we are just three matches into the season.

Not just that, but Reiss Nelson was not included in the official 25 man roster. Which is disheartening in and of itself, mostly because you see names like Mathieu Debuchy on the list, who should have been sold two years ago.

Still, this is fantastic news for Wilshere, who figures to be on the bench against Bournemouth, his loan club of last year, when the Gunners return to action next weekend. And I can’t think of a better candidate, as he currently has everything his club needs.

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This team is devoid of confidence, lacking in fire, and they have at least one superstar who doesn’t want to be there. These are all toxic feelings that can spread to team mates who aren’t willful enough to stand up to it and, thankfully, Wilshere is nothing if not willful.

He will still be rocking a one-match suspension from his red card against the Manchester City U23s, after which he noted that his fire is back and he is ready to go.

That should be music to our ears. Wilshere has always been one of the more passionate players on this team and he is going to be wound up to get some first team action. He can be that impact sub that we so badly need, especially seeing as how our other options are limited to the outstanding Olivier Giroud and… well… everyone else.

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Alex Iwobi has even been left off the 25 man roster due to an injury, meaning the way is even more paved for Wilshere to make his first-team return. There is no one else standing in his way.

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