Theo Walcott has sung the praises of Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere after his midweek display against Red Star Belgrade, but do the club need him more than they know?
The midfielder has been a huge talking point in recent weeks, with many tipping him to earn a recall to the England international fold for the upcoming World Cup in Russia, and others urging him to be fast-tracked back into the Arsenal first-team also.
Arsene Wenger appears reluctant to rush him back however, and you could hardly argue with that decision given the number of setbacks the 26 year-old has had in his career, although the intentions have been made clear to include him when possible.
Theo Walcott has now insisted that any team with Wilshere in will be a strong one, and giving him a free role on Thursday helped his side against Red Star.
“It was a hell of a move, simple as that,” he said. “I managed to play a lucky little one-two with Jack, obviously headed it for Oli and then he’s doing the unusual [to score].
“I don’t really remember it too much, I just remember Oli’s finish – it was that good. But it was good build-up playand I’m very pleased with the assist as well.
“When you’ve got Jack Wilshere fit, and Jack Wilshere in your team, you’re always going to be strong. He’s playing sort of anywhere really, he had a feel role more in the second half that the manager gave him, which probably played a bit more into our hands.
“The first half was quite difficult,” Walcott added. “We had to sort of ease ourselves into the game, trying to adapt to the conditions and in the second half we managed to get hold of it a bit better, countered a lot better. We just had to dig in and we did.”
Wilshere has been impressive since returning from injury this term, and I agree that Wenger must take his time in bringing him back into the fold, but does his character give our team something strongly lacking in his absence? Is Jack the fighter/leader that our team has been lacking in recent years?
Pat J