Arsenal: Jack Wilshere making himself irreplaceable in record time

Arsenal deployed Jack Wilshere for his first Premier League start of the season, but even going beyond his performance, he has exponentially grown his value.

Arsenal’s negative result should not cloud the individual performances that did stand out. Tactically, the club just went about things wrong. They had too many bodies in the wrong areas. Part of the problem of having so many talented players is learning how to use them, and against the Hammers, they were used wrong.

Despite that, Jack Wilshere showed up in a big way. No goals were had in the match, but there was no one that exerted more of an influence on the game than the Englishman. And it was on numerous levels.

He won the ball back the second most of any other Gunner. His tackles looked crisp and clean and effective. He completed tied for the most dribbles with Alex Iwobi. He took some magnificent first touches to kick start a stale attack. And he did not have the ball taken from him a single time, as his tidiness in possession was beautiful.

He wasn’t perfect, as he did tire as the match got late on and started getting a bit sloppy. He also missed a shot that could have won us the game after a magnificent knockdown from the big man up front.

But, in a display that adds to his performance on the pitch, Wilshere was there after that match to take responsibility for his failing. Here’s what he said, as quoted by the Metro:

"It happened really quick and it was on my weaker right foot but I should have done better. I should have hit the target. ‘It sat up a little bit but I should have hit the target and probably won us the game.More from Pain in the Arsenal3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victoryArsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison ParkMikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win"

Wilshere took control of this game when he had the ball and when he was winning it back, but he took responsibility for it as well. This is a man who is serious about his role with the club and serious about doing all he can to lift not just himself, but those around him.

There is so much maturity in his behavior on and off the pitch, yet he hasn’t lost that roguish edge that has come to be his calling card.

It’s like somehow, despite all the injuries, Wilshere has still grown and progressed and improved as a player, and if that doesn’t show dedication to the cause, I don’t know what does.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against West Ham

So much so that I’m beginning to wonder how you sit him after that. The lad was superb, he stepped up, again, on and off the pitch, and knowing what we now know about this midfield and how it behaves in a back four, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more permanent changes taking effect.