Arsenal: Jack Wilshere World Cup lifeline not hidden

Jack Wilshere is reportedly set to be offered a World Cup lifeline by Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace. But his chance to make the squad is not hidden. In fact, it’s right in front of him, at Arsenal. Arsene Wenger just has to realise it.

The pressure is always turned up in a World Cup year. Naturally, players at the peak of their powers want to be playing in the biggest international tournament in world football. There is no higher honour in the sport. But competition for places is steep and many will miss out because of trailing domestic form, injury, or not playing enough regular football for their international manager to be convinced of their fitness and quality.

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The latter of those reasons drives many transfers in the summer beforehand and in the winter window. Players who are on the cusp of the World Cup squad, but are not playing first-team football for their respective clubs, feel the need to force an exit. It is understandable, given the circumstances.

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That is why there are growing rumours linking Jack Wilshere with an Arsenal exit, the latest of which suggesting that Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace is ready to offer him a ‘World Cup lifeline’. He is yet to make a Premier League start, resigned to appearances in the Europa League and Carabao Cup, and wasn’t included in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, with Southgate openly questioning how could play a player for England who isn’t playing for his club.

But Wilshere seems happy where he is. Here he is speaking to Sky Sports, where he reveals that Arsene Wenger has given him assurances that he will be given more playing time in the future:

"“I want to be playing for my country. I’m a proud Englishman and I want to be playing whenever I can. Unfortunately, it’s down to the manager and he didn’t select me. He said I needed more football so that’s what I’ve got to do. I’ve got to take it on board, try and get into the Arsenal first team and then hopefully I’ll be selected. I’ve got a great relationship with Arsene Wenger and he’s assured me that I will get some playing time. I want to stay at this club.”"

And Wilshere is right. His ‘World Cup lifeline’ is not hidden. It is not at the end of some transfer. It is right in front of him. He just needs Wenger to realise that he is worthy of more playing time.

At this point, for an Arsenal team that is need of an attacking spark, there is little to lose in throwing Wilshere in. Expectations are low. Why not give him a run-out and see how he fares? He may end up establishing a position for himself.

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Wilshere does not need to leave to forge a World Cup role. Well, he shouldn’t need to leave. He is good enough to be given an opportunity to earn the required playing time at Arsenal to convince Southgate that he is fit and firing. Whether Wenger will give him that opportunity, though, is another question.