Arsenal: Timidity not a good look for Jack Wilshere

Arsenal saw a masterclass from so many players against CSKA Moscow, but one was clearly lacking, and it has been lacking for quite some time.

Arsenal’s midfield painted a beautiful landscape against CSKA Moscow. Granit Xhaka was the deep, earthy colors that gave the painting something to be grounded in. Mesut Ozil was the flourishes, the colorful bursts. Aaron Ramsey was the focus of the picture.

Even Henrikh Mkhitaryan, despite struggling, was a stroke or something on the horizon that could be more.

But Jack Wilshere? Jack Wilshere was missing. He wasn’t much of a presence in that landscape. And it was a painting that, so many times previously, had been spackled with the flourishes of the Englishman.

Wilshere was a non-factor. He ended more counter attacks than he aided and he struggled with even the simplest things. His quick burst from deeper in the midfield wasn’t there. His clever link-up play was lacking.

The few times he had chances to start a counter, he instead slowed it and let the opposing defense catch up. His passing was uneventful, passive and, the most unlike him – timid. I have never known Jack Wilshere to be timid but in this crucial game, with a high-flying attack around him, Wilshere looked absolutely timid.

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Statistically, there’s no hiding from it. Wilshere had zero shots, zero chances created, zero defensive actions and just one dribble completed. Although, it must be stated that he was also never dispossessed or took a poor touch.

Which, again, just proves the point – Wilshere was timid.

It’s easy to understand why. This contract situation is not going away and if you buy into the stories and the quotes, Wilshere wants more money then the club are willing to offer. Not a stupid amount, mind you, but not the cut that the club is offering.

This being the same club he has been with for something like two decades.

That can play a massive toll on the psyche of a player, especially one who draws so much out of his pride for the badge on his shirt. That has been one thing that has endlessly endeared him to the fans, the fact that he has so much pride in this team. He is a Gooner.

No doubt he feels a bit betrayed. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is stuck questioning his loyalty. That kind of stuff doesn’t just “stay in the locker room.” It comes out on to the pitch with you. It has been for awhile. And it will continue to until Wilshere’s contract fiasco is resolved.

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