Arsenal: The best thing Jack Wilshere did was the simplest

Jack Wilshere played his second 90 minutes in just three days in Arsenal’s win over Newcastle United on Saturday. And while it was a solid if not spectacular performance, the best thing that the oft-injured midfielder did was the simplest: He completed the 90 minutes.

It took Jack Wilshere a long time to start a Premier League game. After returning to North London after a year-loan at Bournemouth in the summer with a broken leg, it was unknown whether he would ever be able to impress himself on the first-team Arsenal squad again.

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First, he had to prove his fitness. Then, he had to prove his match sharpness. And finally, he had to wait for Arsene Wenger to offer him the opportunity that he needed. It was that last stage that took so long.

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In fact, it wasn’t until the 17th game of the Premier League season that Wilshere got his wish. That was 577 days after his previous start for the Gunners, a 4-0 win against Aston Villa in May 2016. Thrust into the heart of the midfield, Wilshere played with the same burst and energy that he had done all year long, albeit against lesser opponents. But what was most important was that he played all 90 minutes, even if he did tire in the closing stages, as Arsene Wenger admitted in his post-match press conference.

It was widely thought that he would not, therefore, be risked against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon, just three days afterwards. Such thinking that I ascribed to, was wrong. Not only did Wilshere start against United, but he proceeded to play all 90 minutes once again, fielded at the heart of the Gunners’ once more.

And he played well. A 91% pass completion rate, five completed dribbles, which was the joint-most with Alex Iwobi of all Arsenal players, 59 completed passes and three tackles, adding a little bite to his brilliance. He may not have reached the heights of his midweek performance, but there were fleeting moments of real quality, slaloming his way past defenders, driving at the Newcastle defence with real pace and intention.

However, the most important thing that Wilshere did was also the simplest: He played the full 90 minutes and looked sharp for the full 90 minutes. The fact that Wenger was willing to both start and not substitute Wilshere in two successive games in three days is a testament to his perceived physical readiness for Premier League football. For a player of his relentless injury problems — he has only ever played more than 2000 Premier League minutes once, which was his breakthrough season in 2010/11 –, that is extremely significant.

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It would be wonderful to see Wilshere play at his best in the Premier League once again. If he can, it could revolutionise this Arsenal midfield. But, for now, it’s just good that he is playing. Period. Long may it continue.