Arsenal: Jack Wilshere in hot water without his chief supporter

There are growing reports that Arsene Wenger will leave Arsenal at the end of this season. If true, it would leave Jack Wilshere without his chief supporter in a little bit of hot water.

The Arsenal career of Jack Wilshere has been a curious, sad, unfulfilled progression from heralded youngster to loaned-out sick note. Indeed, such was the low that Wilshere hit last summer, Arsene Wenger stated that he wouldn’t be offered a new deal after his current one expired a year later. The once future of the club was now deemed surplus to requirements.

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However, since that time, Wilshere has proven his mettle. Wenger may have doubted whether the oft-crocked midfielder could overcome a series of injuries, the latest of which was a broken leg, to reignite his best form. Well, while he has only hit such heights fleetingly, Wilshere has shown signs that he has the physical capabilities to finally fulfil his inordinate potential that we all salivated over many years ago. Wenger’s mind, at least to some extent, has changed.

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A new contract has been offered, although it is one that reportedly requires a pay cut and has not yet been accepted, his midfield role has been restored, with Wilshere playing all 180 minutes against AC Milan most recently, and he has been handed the captaincy whenever Laurent Koscielny has been absent, an act of gratitude and trust from a manager who often entrusts the captaincy to only his most treasured players.

But, in reading the tea leaves, it seems as though this could be Wenger’s last season at the helm. Despite signing a two-year contract a year ago, there has been growing speculation that Ivan Gazidis is ready to move on from Wenger, hence the hirings of Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi. What would happen to Wilshere once his chief supporter is no longer fighting for his case in his corner?

It is a question that is relevant to every player in this Arsenal squad. Unquestionably, they are Arsene Wenger players. So, what happens if they do not take the fancy of whoever replaces Wenger, whether that be this summer or in the future?

However, it is especially pertinent for Wilshere. This is a player who Wenger has had a direct input in since the age of nine, rising through the academy. This is a player who made his first-team debut league debut at just 16 years and 256 days, the youngest, to this day, of any Arsenal player. This is a player who has faced fierce criticism from the fan base and the media, but Wenger has vehemently stood by him, continually supporting and cherishing him.

Wilshere is very much Wenger’s diamond. He has been throughout his rise and fall at the club. And he is a unique type of player that may not suit another manager’s philosophies and ideals. Gennaro Gatusso, for example, extolled Wilshere’s impact against Milan. Another may not hold him in such esteem.

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And so we come to the unanswerable: the future. It remains to be seen what will happen with Wenger and the managerial position. But what cannot be doubted is that the decision that is made in regards to the manager will effect every sinew of this club, especially Jack Wilshere.