Arsenal: Jack Wilshere non-story tells the whole story

Arsenal and Jack Wilshere are stuck in a stand-off that seems to be headed in one clear direction. Can anything prevent the schism that’s approaching?

Waiting for Jack Wilshere to get healthy is like an Arsenal past time. As fans, we always sat by and waited for the rambunctious Englishman to return to the pitch, because he was the prodigal son that was supposed to take us to the promised land.

It was inconceivable that Wilshere would ever not be in an Arsenal shirt. He was and is Arsenal. To part with him would be like cutting off a limb.

Yet, slowly but surely, it was clear that the Gunners were inching away from the hopes of Wilshere ever assuming the throne that was reserved for him. The club started to build a midfield around other players, other signings, and Wilshere was left on the outside looking in.

But still, no one ever expected him to leave. How could you? He had only ever been here. And it’s impossible to imagine someone like that anywhere else.

That said, things are now getting a bit testy. And in more ways than one.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

It became clear in January that emotional connections to the club weren’t worth what they used to be. Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott gone in one window? That’s still insane to even think about. yet there they were, both in different blue shirts.

Wilshere isn’t untouchable. What he wants and what the club wants are two vastly different things and the lack of reported progress, even speculative progress, has to be a concern for anyone desperate to keep these two entities together.

As of now, all we know is that it is in Wilshere’s hands, but the deal that is in his hands is most likely the same deal that he was less than thrilled about. All signs pointed to him wanting a better deal.

But maybe the worst part is that, given the stage to prove what he deserves, Wilshere has been unable to do so. Not only do the two clubs disagree over what he should be making, but Wilshere has been failing in his attempts to prove that he deserves more. That is perhaps the most troubling thing.

The one thing we could always rely on was Wilshere’s abilities on the pitch, but he seems to be falling behind the standard among a midfield that, actually, has a lot of punch. Surely the contract situation is weighing on his mind, but at some point you have to buckle down and try to force yourself into the position you want to be in.

Next: Arsenal vs Newcastle Player Ratings

There’s still time. Not much, but some. I would hate to see Wilshere go down without a fight. That just doesn’t quite seem like him.

Home/Arsenal News