Arsenal: Jack Wilshere’s “strong case” has one final checkpoint

Arsenal are still waiting to extend the contract of Jack Wilshere, but the Englishman can only have one thing left to prove, and Chelsea offers a chance.

Arsenal’s midfield is a cauldron of unpredictability between injuries and fluctuating form. Aaron Ramsey, the one reliable this year, is out injured and will not be back in time to face Chelsea, who he was originally expected to return against.

Which means that the Jack Wilshere run is going to continue, unabated. It’s unclear what will happen when Ramsey does return, but Wilshere does still have work to do.

Arsene Wenger was very outspoken about Wilshere’s push to make the England World Cup roster, saying that he has made a “strong case” for himself as Gareth Southgate looks to round out his 2018 squad.

Related Story: Arsenal vs West Brom Player Ratings

But from a club standpoint, Wilshere’s “strong case” is not yet strong enough to merit continued inclusion in the side when Ramsey returns. He has been solid, he has had a few really positive matches, but he has yet to really stand out against the top tier clubs.

The first opportunity came against Liverpool. He was adequate. He wasn’t amazing, but he certainly fit in. There is a particular beauty in fitting in, especially from an Arsenal standpoint. But Wilshere isn’t here to fit in. He is here to excel against top teams. That is what he has been ticketed to do for his entire career, that is what he is capable of doing and that is what he wants to do.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Chelsea may provide the last opportunity for him to really make a difference against a bi team prior to the Welshman’s return.

Now, granted, there is no guarantee that Ramsey goes straight back into top form. In fact, that’s highly unlikely. These hamstring problems always have a way of hampering Ramsey long past when he returns from injury.

Still, Wilshere’s rising trajectory, ideally, means that both will be coming to their best at around the same time. But until Wilshere passes that last check point, then his case is yet to be concluded.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against West Brom

It’s certainly still reasonable to seek to extend him given the quality we have seen already, but this is not the height of his talents. This isn’t yet the best he can be. And while I am withholding a bit of my excitement over him until he does pass that final checkpoint, as an eternal optimist, I have to believe that he will understand the stakes and achieve what needs achieving.