Along with the bad news that Arsenal fans were given this week about Santi Cazorla and the injury setback which means that our little magician in midfield will not be featuring for the Gunners again this season, it was also confirmed that the club has exercised the option to extend the Spaniard’s contract for another year.
This for me raises the question of another of Arsenal’s injury hit midfield stars Jack Wilshere and whether or not the England international will be back in north London and playing for us again next year, after he completes the season long loan deal with AFC Bournemouth.
On the surface of it this time away from his parent club has been good for Wilshere, as he has already played more games and more minutes than we have seen from him for some time. There was an injury concern for Jack recently but unlike just about every time he got a knock while playing for Arsenal, this one has not turned out bad and he is in line to face West Brom this weekend.
But has he really done enough to suggest that he deserves a regular place in the Arsenal team? With Cazorla and Ozil available I can see Wilshere struggling for game time as he has done in recent years, even when fully fit, so would he be just a squad player for us?
No goals and just two assists from 20 EPL games so far does not look too impressive, but if you speak to the fans and players of his loan club, and their manager Eddie Howe, you will hear a lot of praise for his all-round contribution. One of the main reasons behind thios loan deal was for Jack to play and you have to say that has been working out. There are also 13 more games left for him to find his best form.
Do you think he has to now show more until the end of the season for Arsenal to bring him back into the side for next year?
Bob.