One of the best and most encouraging things about the season just gone for Arsenal, after a pretty shoddy start to proceedings, was the strength in depth on offer to Arsene Wenger with his team selection. There is now very strong competition for most of the places in the starting line up, whereas before it seemed to be only in the creative midfield areas where the Gunners looked strong.
That area is still very strong though, and that is what I mean by the title of this article. The boss has even kept hold of the Czech Republic international Tomas Rosicky, even though the likes of Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil have lkargely kept the 33-year old out of the side.
Having just watched the replay of the Wales v Belgium Euro qualifier, I canot help but fear for our England international Jack Wilshere and his place in the Arsenal team, because Aaron Ramsey was excellent once again. He may not be quite so thriling as Jack at his dribbling best, but Ramsey has made himself indispensable for club and country, even without the regular goals and chances he now provides.
So with Cazorla now fighting for the box-to-box role as well as Rambo and with boith of those and Theo Walcott options on the right, Wilshere not only needs to stay fit, he needs to up his game to have a chance of playing for Arsenal. Can he do it Gooners?