Arsenal Vs Red Star Belgrade: Jack Wilshere must keep clawing away

Jack Wilshere is trying to force his way into Arsene Wenger’s Premier League plans. While he is yet to do so yet, he must keep knocking on the Arsenal door.

When Jack Wilshere returned to Arsenal in the summer after a frustrating and slightly underwhelming year on loan at Bournemouth, he did so with his confidence depleted, his chances of resurrecting his career bleak, and his leg broken. There was much work to be done.

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Arsene Wenger, as someone who has always heralded and supported the talent of Wilshere, was hoping that his former starlet would be able to deliver on his potential. He has not lost his natural ability. He has simply suffered injuries. If he can overcome them, somehow, anyhow, then maybe, just maybe, he can rediscover his best form.

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The aim, as he looked to re-establish himself as a prominent member of the first team squad, was to get fit. Wenger said as much. Then it was to get match-fit. And then it was to prove that the talent, the innate quality that he boasted earlier in his career, had not deserted him. Only then would opportunities begin to be handed to him.

Wilshere is now fit. In fact, he is now match-fit. He played 114 minutes against Norwich City last week in the Carabao Cup, and, within reason, did not fade too much late on in the match. And in the limited appearances that he has been afforded, he has shown that his creative flair is still replicable. So when will the Premier League opportunities come?

Well, that is difficult to answer. Only Wenger truly knows whether Wilshere will ever feature in his league plans. But all Wilshere can do is focus on what is in within his control. And that is his performances on the pitch, starting this Thursday.

Arsenal host Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League, a competition that Wilshere has enjoyed thus far. If he can continue to play at the same level that he has been doing, then, soon, his case to feature in the Premier League will be difficult to ignore.

Currently, though, there is a lot of competition for places. It would be unwise to partner him and Aaron Ramsey in central midfield, so unless he is to unseat the Welshman, there is no room in midfield. And in the three attacking positions, with Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette beginning to find their best form, growing in familiarity with one another, it is difficult to see where opportunities will come.

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So Wilshere must be patient. He must keep working hard, performing well, and knocking on the door. He will get a chance. Eventually. But for now, he must just keep clawing away.