The emergence of Jack Wilshere

Jack making his first Premiership start.

Jack Wilshere only recently turned 19 but he is already an established regular in the Arsenal side. Due to injuries to key midfielders at the start of the season Jack made his first start for Arsenal in the Premier League. This was not an easy introduction in a tough game at Anfield, but Jack impressed and has now gone on to become a regular with Song and Fabregas in the middle of the park. 

Jack winning trophies at just 8 years old.

 Jack signed for Arsenal's academy back when he was only 9 years old and in the past 10 years has risen through the ranks incredibly quickly to where he is today. Wilshere still holds the record today for Arsenal's youngest Premier league player, when he replaced Robin Van Persie at just 16 years and 256 days. However it has been this season that Jack has really made his mark on the team and the world football stage. He has now started 33 times in all competitions and came off the bench on a further 11 occasions. Jack has been playing in the left holding role of Arsenals three man midfield. He has developed an excellent understanding with Alex Song especially and the pair have played a key role in Arsenal's impressive season so far and I am sure they will continue to do so. 


 When Jack moved on loan to Bolton last January it was a very important stage of his career and always will be. By going to Bolton Jack was going to get far more opportunities to play than in the superior Arsenal midfield. This was vital experience for Jack and he came back to Arsenal ready to start games and a far better player than he was before. He mainly developed the physical and defensive sides of his game at Bolton and this has paid off with him now playing in a holding role in Arsenal's 4-2-3-1 formation. This was an ideal club for Wilshere to go out on loan to as it is very different to Arsenal and would of taught him more about the Premier League than sitting on the bench at the Emirates for the remainder of the 2009/2010 season. 

Jack in the recent game against City.

 If there was one aspect of his game Jack would want to develop it would be scoring goals. He has only managed 3 this season, but that doesn't undermine how impressive his season has been so far. In my opinion he is now a key player for the Arsenal and looks considerably better than Denilson for example in the central midfield position. He will continue to be important for Arsenal for many years to come, and will in the near future become a regular for England, more than likely by Euro 2012. I see Jack as the complete modern footballer, he has all the qualities you need to succeed in the modern game from precision passing to tough tackling. Jack has said himself his aim is to eventually captain Arsenal and this is certainly possible for a player of his calibre. After all he is only 19 and has cemented his place in a leading English club and the football world is truly at his feet.