Arsenal Vs Huddersfield Town: Jack Wilshere’s chance

Arsenal host Huddersfield Town on Wednesday night with Jack Wilshere expected to start. With Arsene Wenger stating in the build-up that he will fight for him 100%, this is his chance to prove himself in the Premier League.

Sunday, 16th May 2016. That is the last time that Jack Wilshere made a Premier League start for Arsenal. It has been a very long time. So Wednesday night’s welcoming of Huddersfield Town, while significant in the context of this season, takes on a new meaning when Wilshere’s pains and troubles are considered.

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The midfielder, who has played in only three league games this season, all of which have been from the bench, totalling 48 minutes of playing time, is strongly expected to start in midweek, with Arsene Wenger choosing to rotate through his squad with a packed festive schedule ahead.

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Amid such hopes of him starting, Wenger himself was asked about the long-term future of Wilshere, a particularly pertinent issue given that his contract expires at the end of the season. The Arsenal manager stated that he will fight for him to stay with the club, as long as that is the best course of action for player and team:

"“For him, it’s just about being fit and considered like any other player in the squad. He’s at that level now where every opportunity is a good chance for him to commit to his long-term future <…> For him, I always consider his interest because he’s an Arsenal player since he was a kid and I think about what’s best for him, regardless of the decision I make. If I think it right and in his best interests for him to stay here, then I fight 100 percent for him to stay because he’s a top-quality guy and is back fit now. When you have a top-quality player you want them to stay.”"

When Gareth Southgate chose not to include Wilshere in his latest England squad for the international friendlies against Germany and Brazil, he rebutted with a very simple question: How can a player who is not playing for his club be selected for his country?

It is a fair question to ask. It is one that Wilshere, if he wants to worm his way back into the England set-up ahead of next summer’s World Cup, will have to find circumnavigate. He must find a way to force his way into the Arsenal team with regularity and success. That starts with the first opportunity.

Huddersfield’s visit to North London is Wilshere’s very first opportunity. While his performances in the Europa League and Carabao Cup have been spritely, to say the least, the quality of the opposition, and the competitiveness of the fixtures, must be taken into consideration. It is difficult to draw meaningful and genuine conclusions from such games.

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So the Premier League is where Wilshere must make his case. That is where his Gunners’ future will be decided, where his skill will be proven, and where his World Cup place will hang. It will be 552 days since his last start for Arsenal. His next one will be somewhat more important.