Arsenal: Jack Wilshere hasn’t done enough yet

Jack Wilshere is trying to establish himself as a prominent member of the Arsenal squad, starting in Aaron Ramsey’s stead. But he hasn’t quite done enough to prove his quality and fitness yet.

Jack Wilshere is a phenomenally talented player. There have been very few young prospects come through the ranks at any Premier League that boasts the same natural skill and ability as the Arsenal starlet.

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But injuries, off-the-field controversies, and a loss of form and confidence, as a result, have led to his star dimming, ending in a season-long loan at Bournemouth last year with Arsene Wenger concerned over the number of minutes that he could give him.

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Nevertheless, in recent weeks, with Aaron Ramsey absent thanks to yet another hamstring injury, Wilshere has been afforded the opportunity to re-establish himself as a prominent member of the starting XI. With Gareth Southgate questioning how he could ever pick him for England without him playing significant Premier League minutes, Wilshere has now enjoyed what was previously doubted as ever available. And Wilshere, who has played six games — he completed the full 90 minutes in all six — in just 21 days across the festive period, credits the packed the schedule for providing him with a new-found confidence in his previously frail fitness:

"“It gives me belief in my body. I’ve never questioned it. I’ve never thought before the game: ‘I’m a bit tired today’ and this is the third game in six days. I was ready to go. I know my body well. I know the right foods to eat. I know the best way to recover and get the right amount of sleep. I’ve done that over the years and I think now that I am in the best shape that I have ever been.”"

The most important thing for Wilshere, at this moment in time, is simply to be playing. The fact that his body has been able to handle the rigour of a weekend game followed by a midweek game followed by another weekend game and so on is extremely encouraging. But with Ramsey set to return to the squad in the coming weeks, assuming there is not a setback with his recovery, Wilshere’s place in the starting XI is far from certain, particularly if Wenger continues with the 3-4-3 that sacrifices a central-midfielder.

Wilshere has played solidly. But he is not quite at his gliding, slaloming best. He is yet to display that deceptive quickness as he lets the ball roll across the face of leg, opening out his body, before driving past the unbalanced and out-of-position defender; he is yet to showcase his incisive, sharp, quick one-and-two-touch passing in and around the penalty area. There have been fleeting glimpses of his ability — a lofted through pass to Alexis Sanchez; a thumping strike past Thibault Courtois. But there is little consistency.

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That does not mean that it will not come. Recovering from injuries takes a long time; recovering from years’ worth of injuries takes even longer. And Wilshere is still searching for that top gear, that razor sharpness to his game that is only bred out of relentless repetition. That is what everyone is waiting to see. He is doing more than most expected of him. But he hasn’t quite done enough yet.