Martin Keown has claimed that Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka are keeping Jack Wilshere out of contention for Arsenal at present, but can he force his manager to consider him?
The former Gunners youth product has long been considered a future captain of our side, but has looked like an exit could be on the cards in recent seasons.
Wilshere was expected to be the next big thing to come through our academy after impressing in a number of high-profile matches while still making his mark on the senior game. Unfortunately a number of injury setbacks halted his progression, and he has struggled to hit those heights in recent seasons.
Jack looks to be on his way back to full fitness at present however, and could well be in contention for a first-team role in the coming months, but could he persuade Wenger to demote Xhaka or Ramsey from the first XI? Keown believes not…
He is quoted: “Jack Wilshere won’t get in ahead of Aaron Ramsey because he’s right-footed and you need that balance and movement. He needs an injury to happen to one of Arsenal’s first choice players – presumably Xhaka – to get a chance.
“Every time Wilshere has been involved, he still has something available to offer. If Xhaka’s form was to dip, then he would have an opportunity and you would imagine he could take it.
“He needs to be available every week. I think it’s good news for Arsene Wenger.
“Wenger might need to pick him for three over a week. Jack needs to be ready for that. Let’s see, but I think Wenger will be happy to have him available and still at the club. It might just be cameo appearances for now.”
Keown then added that a loan deal could not be ruled out from January, although I’m not sure I agree considering his contract will only have six months left to run and a temporary move would be of little to no benefit to our club.
“I can’t remember him playing 90 minutes recently,” Keown added. “Bournemouth was a good opportunity for Jack. They only played one game a week.
“Jack himself can assess the situation in January. If he’s not happy, Wenger will let him leave on loan – he’s shown that before.”
Wilshere still has a keen eye for finding those key balls which can open up defences, and could be a huge plus for our squad, but is he ready for first-team football again? Does he deserve to be in contention to replace Ram or Granit?
Pat J
Wilshere could compete with Ramsey to be a starter, but not with Xhaka. Because Arsenal have bought Xhaka for thirty millions plus and Arsenal will not put such expensive player on the bench.
Arsenal should have the guts to bench players that are not performing, no matter how expensive the player is. Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid do this to their expensive players.
I think Wilshere would be a contingency plan, in case Sanchez or Ozil announces their departure in January. But actually Arsenal would need more skillful and dominant midfielder to improve, rather than relying on Wilshere, Xhaka and Ramsey.
Well Wenger has benched Lacazette more than once this season already and he cost almost £50 mils!
That was because Wenger wanted to persuade Sanchez, Ozil and Chamberlain to stay. Lacazette and other expensive players are still prioritized to be starters ahead the cheap ones, you can see in the next matches.
I’d prefer to see Wilshere than Ramsey starting. Ramsey was brilliant against Chelsea, but that was a very rare performance from him. You’re more likely to see the performance against Liverpool, than anything else from Ramsey.
It was only yesterday that AW said he has many strikers and that no mater what game they would be rotated so why not with midfield?
i much as i love to see Jack start every game but being realistic i think Jack should settle for a part bench part start job at a big club then a regular play at a smaller club because of his injuries woes,
and i still believe Jack has more talent and better suited to Arsenal play then both Aaron and Xhaka,
Arsenal plays without any dominant defensive midfielder in the mold of Kante, Luis Gustavo and the likes. We have relied more on Xhaka who is more adept at spraying the balls from his deep laying position in the midfield and when there is need to break up play, at times he allows it to tarry too long giving him the need to achieve same with overly dramatic tackles that end up with an equally dramatic red flash before his face. I must confess though, as of recent, he has improved on this greatly. The other part of our double pivot of a deep midfield position is played, in order of preference, by our dearest MMM (Midfield Magical Maestro) Santi Cazorla, Ramsey and Wilshire (save for when Wenger needs a stronger midfield).As of now, Can either of Ramsey and Wilshire challenge Cazorla as deep laying playmaker? Hell no! But can Wilshire challenge Ramsey for the second spot? Yes he can.
We at Arsenal play without any dominant defensive midfielder in the mold of Kante, Luis Gustavo and the likes. We have relied more on Xhaka who is more adept at spraying the balls from his deep laying position in the midfield and when there is need to break up play, at times he allows it to tarry too long giving him the need to achieve same with overly dramatic tackles that end up with an equally dramatic red flash before his face. I must confess though, as of recent, he has improved on this greatly. The other part of our double pivot of a deep midfield position is played, in order of preference, by our dearest MMM (Midfield Magical Maestro) Santi Cazorla, Ramsey and Wilshire (save for when Wenger needs a stronger midfield).As of now, Can either of Ramsey and Wilshire challenge Cazorla as deep laying playmaker? Hell no! But can Wilshire challenge Ramsey for the second spot? Yes he can.
I would prefer to see Wilshere and Ramsey together and bench that lazy Özil. Bring some energy to the midfield and to be honest, what has Özil done this season? 0 goals, 0 assists in 4 games.
…………………. Cheq…………
….. Kos……. Mustafa….. Monreal
Bellerin…… Ramsey.. Xakhai.. Will shire. Sead
………………….. Sanchez………..
………………….. Lacazzette………
I reckon Wilshere and Ramsey would play even better with Coquelin behind them but that would pretty much be my starting 11.
Frank. something like this?
…………….Cech
Bellerin…Mustafi…Koscielny…Sead
……………..Coquelin
………Ramsey…Wilshire.
…………….Ozil.
…GIroud/Alexis.. Lacazette.
Özil probably would play better with a stacked midfield of workers.
Wilshere is similar to Xhaka, and both are inferior to Cozorla. They’re deep lying midfielders. We all thought Xhaka was a CDM but he’s not. Ramsey is a box to box but more importantly is right footed. The only thing that can change everything i’ve said is game planning. I’d definitely like to see the Wilshere and Xhaka dynamic together but Ramsey isn’t getting dropped on the back of his Chelsea performance. But all the same, good to have Wilshere back. When fully fit, he is better than both Xhaka and Ramsey.
Most of you are trying so hard to fit Jack into the starting 11 without any strong basis.
If Ramsey is as hopeless as some of you are pointing out, why in the hell should Jack be considered over Elneny / Iwobi / Coq when fit / and even Niles? Is it based on his brilliant performance against mighty Donchester, his feature against Koln; his game against the under 20; his game against Barca years ago / or is it because his English?.
I equally love Jack because his our player but nothing more, he needs to earn his spot just like every other player. At the moment Jack is not even in our top 3 midfielders.
Lol IF FIT, he is one of the most complete midfielder in arsenal! Can tackle, dribble, Key pass and even score world class goals(amazing volleys couple of years back) when he is fit, he is amazing but the question remains ” can he stay fit”
The reaction of fans in the aftermath of one good performance against, with respect, weak opposition, beggars belief. Over the years Jack Wiltshire has been very well paid during lengthy absences through injuries a number of which have been self inflicted by reckless tackles and bad decision making . He failed to make an impression at Bournemouth and on the back of one full 90 minutes against a lower division side there is a clamour for him to replace the likes of Ramsay,Xhaka and Elneny who is in my opinion the best defensive midfielder at Arsenal.Wenger is absolutely correct on this occasion when he points that it is up to Wiltshire to stake a claim to a regular midfield berth by stringing together a number of consistently good performances.I sincerely hope he can but please, no more of this hype after a 90 minute shift.
I prefer Wilshire to partner xhaka in the middle and Aaron playing ahead of the due, just behind the two strikers (laca and welbz)
Make him the fulcrum of the Europa League team and see how it goes, if he gets back to his best and we are in the Champions League next season, build the Champions League team around him, just keep him far away from EPL defenders until he’s had a couple of injury free seasons.