Arsenal vs BATE Borisov: Jack Wilshere has just one thing to prove

Arsenal will deploy Jack Wilshere in the Europa League, which gives the Englishman another chance to prove the very last thing he needs to prove.

Arsenal’s travel miles are racking up as they travel to Belarus to take on BATE Borisov in matchweek two of the Europa League. After being shocked into a 0-1 deficit against FC Koln, it would be quite nice to not suffer a similar shock here.

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In order to do that, they will be relying on Jack Wilshere yet again to hold down the center of the pitch and do a job for himself and for the club. And, in the end, he really only has one thing that he has left to prove to show us – and hopefully Arsene Wenger – that he is ready for the Premier League and for pressuring the incumbent midfielders.

That last thing that he needs to prove is that he can last 90 minutes. Wilshere is not a guy who gets subbed out. He’s too much of a fighter and, like Aaron Ramsey, he has an engine that never dies.

It’s just a matter of getting him back to top match fitness.

Against Doncaster Rovers, Wilshere played the full 90 minutes, but despite looking strong and useful in the first half and for a section of the second, the Englishman got tuckered out there at the end.

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It’s not like it’s a bad thing, it’s just part of the process.

BATE Borisov is the next opportunity to see what progress Wilshere is making. It was one hell of a trip for the team, so hopefully that doesn’t for any reason interfere (it shouldn’t) so ideally, we will see another 90 minutes of our English midfielders and, equally ideally, he will be just as impacting, and for a longer period of time.

Wilshere has been playing in a deeper, holding role in his scattered appearances with the Gunners, which bodes well, because the midfield is in need of some more options. The current pairing has its fair share of benefits, but it also has its fair share of downfalls.

Thus far, we have seen the same Wilshere that we have always seen when healthy. He has showcased masterful passing, intelligent runs and a new over-the-top scoop pass that gives us plenty of things to think about.

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He should be paired with plenty of first-teamers, as the Europa League requires quality, so there will be plenty to work with. Maybe he can assist Olivier Giroud on his 100th goal.