Arsenal: New Jack Wilshere shows a change in perspective

Reports are surfacing stating that Arsenal will meet with Jack Wilshere to discuss a new deal. Such revelations show a change in Arsene Wenger’s perspective.

The return of Jack Wilshere was always a speculative one. He had turned 25 years of age the season prior, he had not completed a full season since the age of 18 — a tremendous 2011 campaign that cemented him as one of Arsenal’s, and England’s, brightest talents, and he was rehabbing from a broken leg.

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Furthermore, the very fact that Wilshere was sent out on loan, at 24, with not an especially convincing midfield cast left in his wake, particularly when Santi Cazorla became crocked for the year in October, did not inspire confidence that Arsene Wenger, who has always been a stout and bullish proprietor of the midfielder’s abilities, believed his once favoured son could return to his former glories.

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And as Wilshere worked his way back into the squad, initially proving that he was simply fit enough to train, before beginning to establish himself in the heavy dose of cup rotation that Wenger has favoured this year, expectations have been tempered. Both Wilshere and Wenger have reiterated, time and time again, that they are taking his reintroduction process slowly, adapting to the reactions of his body as he begins to push the boundaries of what it can handle.

From a technical standpoint, Wilshere looks as good as ever. His short-area burst is back, emphatically, his vision and creativity have been mesmerising, and his ability to weave in and out of challenges, slaloming his way through the forest of wayward legs, dropping into pockets of space, before sliding over to find another, niche bit of grass with which he can work his magic, has been pivotal to the attacking success that Arsenal have enjoyed in the Europa League thus far.

While a small sample size, that success has not gone unnoticed. Reports in The Daily Mail on Saturday evening claimed that Arsenal are wanting to meet with Wilshere in regards to a new deal, extending his current one which expires, worryingly, at the end of the season.

Wenger always stated that he would see how Wilshere responds to first-team action before talks begin over a new contract. Even though Wilshere in the last year of his deal, Wenger, such were the frailties in his expectations for the midfielder, felt comfortable to be patient, kicking the tyres on what he would be investing should he decide to plunge for another contract.

But, if such reports are true, then the perspective of Wilshere’s return has changed. This is no longer an experiment. This is no longer a low-risk, high-reward punt. Wenger has seen enough to make a longer-term commitment.

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Now, that is not to say that Wenger is making the right decision. It could very well be the case that Wilshere suffers another season-ending ankle injury in December, and any investment quickly becomes wasted. But he has seen enough to commit to his risk. And that is thoroughly exciting.