WBA v ARSENAL I NEVER GAVE UP ON JACK
Wenger always believed in Wilshere
ARSENE WENGER reckons Jack Wilshere deserves more credit for coming back from a string of bad injuries than he does for breaking into the first team as a teenager.
The 25- year- old ( below) became the youngest player to make his league debut for the Gunners in September 2008, when Wenger sent him on as a substitute at Blackburn aged just 16 years and 256 days.
Huge things were expected over the years that followed but several setbacks, the most recent of which was a broken leg suffered while on loan at Bournemouth, have prevented him from fulfilling his potential.
Wilshere has had to bide his time this season since returning to Arsenal last summer but he is now getting back to his best.
On Thursday, he put in a man-of-the-match performance in the 3-2 win at Crystal Palace.
And Wenger said: “His performance at Crystal Palace deserves credit because it demands character.
“I have a big respect for that because it is all nicey-nicey when you are super- talented and everybody says you are the greatest player at 17.
“But to come back to that level when you have gone through what he has gone through shows a special character.
Credit
“I must say it is better when we talk about his return from the broken leg. Give him credit for what he has gone through.”
Wenger (right) insists he didn’t think about giving up on Wilshere, who is set to open talks over a new deal at Arsenal soon.
He added: “I never did. Everybody is alive to fight, so I never gave up on him. Where he has improved is tactically and defensively. When he does that his defensive game becomes even better.
“Jack has a great quality – when he wins the ball he relieves the pressure because he has that little burst and suddenly he can open the game for you.
“His positional play is good. He is in the right place.
“Football is first where to be on the pitch, where to stand and, after, where to run.”
Wilshere’s return to form gives England manager Gareth Southgate food for thought ahead of the World Cup if he stays clear of injury. “Of course, it’s harder for Southgate to ignore him,” said Wenger.
The Gunners take on West Brom today and, t omorrow, Wilshere, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez will be free to negotiate p re- contra c t s with overseas clubs.
Wenger added: “That’s not my problem. My problem is to win against West Brom.”