Arsenal Vs Red Star Belgrade: Jack Wilshere has one more question to answer

Arsenal face Red Star Belgrade on Thursday with Jack Wilshere hoping to build on his blossoming display against BATE Borisov. As he continues his return to the fray, he has just one more question to answer: Consistency.

Jack Wilshere’s return, for the most part, has been positive. After a frustrating and underwhelming year on loan at Bournemouth, it was uncertain what role he would have within the Arsenal squad when he arrived back at the Emirates. The club had moved on; there was no longer the need for Wilshere.

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However, two months into the season, and Wilshere is beginning to re-establish himself as a valuable member of the squad. He has made two starts so far — against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup and against BATE Borisov in the Europa League –, has looked as if he is rediscovering his explosive, short-area quickness, and is pushing hard for more significant game time with others struggling with form and fitness concerns.

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When he first returned to Arsenal, the primary questions that Wilshere had to face centred on his body. Could a battered and bruised body handle the physical and athletic challenges of Premier League football after years and years of surgeries, rehab, and extended periods of absence? Unfortunately for Wilshere, that will be a question that he will always have to face; his injury history makes sure of that. But from a technical, performance, and playing standpoint, there is only more answer to provide to prove that he can again be a valuable Arsenal player: Is he consistent?

Even when Wilshere was fit and firing, there were games that he would drift through, failing to have the influence that is expected of him, lacking the necessary consistency to drive the midfield week after week throughout a long and difficult season. Now, upon his return, he must prove that, with greater maturity and experience, he can perform at the level that is expected of him every time he takes to the pitch.

As Arsenal prepare to travel to Serbia to face Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League, a game that Wilshere is likely to start, perhaps as an inside-left forward as he did against Borisov earlier in the year, the highly-talented Wilshere must back up the promising displays that he has enjoyed prior.

In reality, Wilshere has played well for about two 45 minutes of football this season: The two first-halves against Doncaster and Borisov — he faded in the second half, perhaps as a sign of his lack of full match sharpness. For however well he played in those games, it is meaningless if he cannot frequently replicate such performances.

Wilshere is quickly becoming one of the more important players in the Europa League, providing the creative, attacking spark that can be dimmed when the blend of youth products and experienced reserves is not well-balanced. And he will be required to be the primary instigator once more on Thursday night.

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Wilshere has the opportunity to build a portfolio of performances that will help force his way into the starting line-up. He has shown glimpses of his ability thus far. It’s now time for him to answer one, final question; consistency, as ever, is the key.