Arsenal: Jack Wilshere risk vastly outweighs the reward

Arsenal will likely send Jack Wilshere out to face BATE Borisov, but this is the first case of the risk far outweighing the reward of his participation.

Arsenal upcoming match against BATE Borisov has absolutely nothing to offer the Gunners except maybe a bit of fun (depending on how the match fares) and a bit of exposure for some of the young and fringe players.

That in and of itself is not enough to, say, test the whims of fate.

Arsene Wenger is more than likely going to send out the fringe players who are pushing for more inclusion in the first team. That includes Jack Wilshere, everyone’s favorite Englishman that can’t seem to get a chance.

Wilshere has been making a living on these midweek fixtures, with the sporadic appearance in the Premier League as a sub, but all in all, the total exposure isn’t likely enough to appease him. And with January just around the corner, it may seem counter-intuitive for me to be advocating for him to be sat for BARE Borisov.

But to me, sitting him against Borisov is a bigger show of faith than playing him. As mentioned, this is a moot match that serves no purpose other than getting 90 minutes under the belt. I know we can’t protect Wilshere form injuries forever, but given the risk that is always there, presenting him with more of it in a pointless match is pretty questionable.

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Plus, if you sit him against Borisov, as should be the case, then you are letting him know that there are bigger things up ahead in the Premier League. And there should be. With the busy Christmas period in full swing, rotation will be crucial.

Mainly because, after seeing the effects that already plaguing formerly-injured guys like Laurent Koscielny, I’d hate to see Aaron Ramsey, who is having a superb season, cut down due to having to play every single match when Wilshere could be used as a perfectly feasible rotational option.

So let’s get right down to it then. Let’s weigh the risk against the reward. The risks of playing him include: injury; not saving him for Premier League when he is needed even more, which furthers his risk of injury should he be needed; another frustrating effort like we saw against FC Koln where Wilshere was up against the world.

Rewards: more minutes; perhaps more appeasement. Maybe continuity?

Next: Arsenal vs BATE Borisov Predicted XI

I don’t see it. I don’t see why you’d run him out there. Save him for the holiday season.

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