Jack’s right on track for World Cup

IT is World Cup year, so the auditions start here. For Jack Wilshere, this one could have been over inside an hour and that would have been a shame. Wilshere’s return to fitness and form has been encouraging, and this was the 26-year-old’s sixth Premier League start in three weeks of intense football.

The Arsenal midfielder was impressive during his team’s win at Crystal Palace and their draw at West Bromwich. Here, with bigger questions asked, he was progressive again. His goal last night will not do him any harm. it was the first of the game and it was well taken.

Wilshere’s attempt to deceive referee Anthony Taylor with a dive, having already been booked, was not so clever.

it would have been a huge call to send off Wilshere. Taylor’s view was obscured and, from 15 yards away, it would have looked a marginal call at best.

Nevertheless, fortune was on Wilshere’s side and a player of his experience and football intelligence should know better.

in the wider context of Wilshere’s attempt to resurrect a career blighted by injury, England manager Gareth southgate will not consider him for his World Cup squad until he proves his long-term fitness. it is still hard to look whenever he goes to ground.

Here at the Emirates, Wilshere seemed robust enough. He was booked early on for a late tackle on Cesc Fabregas, then withstood a return dose from his opponent. so far, so good.

in terms of his football, it was hard to make a judgment in another helter- skelter game. Wilshere still looks the part, scurrying across the ground in that familiar, bow-legged way. From that perspective, he has always been a throwback.

And then there is his unstinting effort. Wilshere never lacks interest in a game; never avoids confrontation. And the way he ghosted into the area for his goal was a reminder of his sense of timing. But too often here he was not helped by the chaos that regularly seems to swirl around him in the centre of the Arsenal midfield.

Why do the Gunners’ games against strong opposition always turn out like this?

Wenger’s team remain potent and capable on their day, but there is rarely the discernible rhythm or pattern to their play that it is easy to detect in top teams.

Against that background, Wilshere must show an ability to take hold of that area, and with it a game. That is the role he seemed destined for as a younger player and it is what he must aspire to now.

There was a time when Wilshere might have developed into a holding player, but that now looks beyond him. Previous England managers reached the conclusion that he has never been able to time a tackle well enough to play there. There was evidence of that failing last night.

EQUALLY, there were signs of the vision and creativity that mark out special players from ordinary ones. Wilshere is at his most dangerous when passing forward or attacking on the turn, forcing defenders to make difficult decisions.

Here, Chelsea’s back line did not look comfortable when he broke from deep.

Wilshere can still pass, too. One lovely long ball in the second half found Alexandre Lacazette and almost led to a goal. A minute later, Wilshere scored himself.

ultimately, it was not enough for Arsenal to win this game. From the moment they scored first, Wenger’s team regressed.

For them, and for Wilshere, the steps forward remain small ones.