It was all looking promising for Jack Wilshere when he finally made his mark on his senior debut for Arsenal in September 2008, aged just 16 years and 256 days.
The young midfielder was regarded as one of the exciting talents to have emerged at that time. He had a great future ahead of him as of one of the most heralded young English players but his problem remain his regular injuries which have kept his potential progress at bay.
When fully fit, he is one of the best midfielders around, he has the ability to fight for the ball and possesses the physicality presently lacking in Arsenal midfield. He was once voted the PFA Young Player of the Year and selected in the 2010/11 PFA Team of the Year but he has never lived up to the potential most people see in him.
He was once described by former England manager Fabio Capello as “the future”. He is versatile as he can play as an attacking midfielder, a winger or a deep-lying central midfielder. His performances and potential were likened to that of Barcelona greats such as Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
At 25-years old, when he should be at his prime, he finds himself falling down the pecking order at Arsenal and no guaranteed place for him in the England squad.
He spent last season on loan at Bournemouth only for his season to be cut short by injury again in April. With the crowded midfield at Arsenal, playing time will be extremely limited and only another move away from the Emirates Stadium could help re-ignite his career.
Jack Wilshere remains a talented midfielder, so let’s hope he can come back fully fit from this latest injury and he can get on and enjoy his career.
