Jack Wilshere has proved his critics wrong yet again by playing 38 games for the Arsenal this season.
The feisty midfielder has been at Arsenal since the age of 9, rising through the ranks as a star in midfield. Making his debut for Arsenal at the age of 16 and immediately impressing fans and managers alike.
After several seasons filled with injuries leading to very little playing time and eventually a loan to Bournemouth to regain fitness, the tenacious player has come back into the Arsenal first team with strength, and has scored 2 goals and grabbed 6 assists.
It is key with players like Wilshere to focus less on statistics, as often the Englishman plays vital passes in the build-up to goals or make key challenges further back down the pitch that aren’t focused on after games.
The 26-year-old’s aggressive playing style has been viewed as exactly what Arsenal need, at a time when with the exception of Granit Xhaka, the Gunner’s midfield is often seen as relatively weak in the face of strong Premier League opposition.
Arsenal’s midfield contains several players like Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil, who are outstanding in their creative and attacking capability but can struggle defensively.
Jack Wilshere is a rare player in the way that he plays as a very creative midfielder in attack but manages to stay very strong in defence. Many fans compare him to Cesc Fabregas or Steven Gerrard in respect to his style of play.
Wilshere’s Arsenal contract is set to expire at the end of June. According to a report from the Evening Standard, the club and Wilshere’s agent are set to agree on a £100,000 a week contract but only if he fulfills a certain number of games for Arsenal next season.
This news comes as a relief to many Arsenal fans amid reports linking the player with a move to Everton. It is believed that Italian giants Juventus had a bid rejected for Wilshere already, with the player committing to Arsenal soon.
Players like Wilshere will be key if Arsenal want to turn around their form and mount a real title challenge, the strength and creativity he brings to the midfield are key, but most important is his everlasting passion that fuels the side.
