I’ve no doubt that hundreds of people will be taking to their keyboards to heap praise on our future captain, but right now I’m taking my turn to applaud Jack Wilshere.
And if you watched Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Swansea City, they you will completely understand why the 21-year-old is about to be hit by a wave of admiration and congratulations.
Wilshere was simply unplayable.
It is nothing new of course, Arsenal fans have known for years just how good this young man is, he showed the world when he picked up the man of the match award against Barcelona a few years ago that he means business, but after a lengthy absence he reminded everyone of his talent last night.
He has the mind and intelligence of a veteran yet the energy and response of his actual age; it is amazing how comfortable he is both on and off the ball.
Wilshere was a class apart from everyone else on the field at the Emirates Stadium last night, and seems to already be the complete package; agile, elegant and intelligent on the ball yet energetic, determined and not afraid to get stuck in when chasing opponents. The only thing you can really say that he is missing is perhaps an eye for goal and a lethal shot, but my word did he take his goal superbly before demonstrating his passion with his celebration.
He also displayed just how much of a team player and how down to earth he is in his interview with ESPN after the match.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever hit another one like that in my life, and it was a great set-up from Olivier [Giroud],” said Wilshere
“It was important we got the win in 90 minutes, we’d created chances (before the goal) but we just couldn’t put it in.
“We know what the FA Cup means in England. It’s a great competition and we wanted to be in the next round, but we’ve got a tough game away to Brighton.”
While he may not be known for a deadly strike, I have no doubt that he will soon develop one as time goes on, just like Cesc Fabregas did when he broke into the first team as a young midfielder.
No player has excited me more than Wilshere in years, and may even be tempted to go as far as to say in my entire life of supporting the Gunners.
The last time someone has aroused me as much as the England international, was when a mullet-donning Fabregas start running the show at the age of 17.
I’m not alone in appreciating his talents though, manager Arsenal Wenger and captain Thomas Vermaelen have both paid tribute to Wilshere.
“What is pleasing is that he’s ahead of schedule. Jack is completely back to his best and I would never have believed that would have happened as soon as January,” said Wenger.
“He can play everywhere – he can defend and attack. He has got back his burst with the ball so I used him closer to the strikers and he was always dangerous.
“A complete midfielder can defend and attack and Jack can also dribble and give a final ball so the closer players like him are to the goal the better it is for them.”
Vermaelen added: “He’s a world-class midfielder and he showed again today, he played really well and was important for us.
“I’m really happy for him that he got the goal, and happy for the team.”
Arguably the most likeable trait about Wilshere is his clear love for the club. A self-confessed Gooner, Wilshere appears to be sticking around for the long-run having signed a new bumper-deal at the Emirates, just like fellow young Englishman Kieran Gibbs.
“To be honest, I thought he was close to his best when he first came back,” Gibbs said. “I of all people know what it’s like to come back from injuries. It’s not easy at all.
“He’s come straight back into the picture and for me he’s a world-class player and a pleasure to play with.”
There is no doubt that Wilshere will be a future Arsenal skipper, but should he be given it sooner rather than later?
Tony Adams was given the armband at the age of 21, and he became a legend. Who’s to say that Wilshere couldn’t do the same…
Matt Cotton
no captaincy for wilshere yet please…There is enough and more pressure on him to perform at world class levels as it is…protect him let him grow then unleash him….!!!