There have already been hundreds of articles written about Jack Wilshere’s behavious at the celebration of Arsenal’s FA Cup win, and this has culminated in him being charged by the FA as well as getting a slap on the wrist from Arsene Wenger.
Now the England manager Roy Hodgson has put in his tuppence worth and announced: “Jack is a very enthusiastic and eager player. He plays with a confidence and an air of enthusiasm which is a real delight to see and work with,” Hodgson said. “We’ve been unlucky with Jack, he’s been with us for three years but has been injured.”
And then he goes on to talk about the parade “It was important Arsenal took that matter in hand and it was dealt with as far as Arsenal and the FA was concerned. He must accept that.
“It’s not the type of behaviour we encourage or want to see but unfortunately young men do things they regret. We need to make sure he curbs his enthusiasm.”
So Roy starts off by saying that Jack’s best quality while plying is his ‘enthusiasm’ and then ends by saying that we should teach him to keep his enthusiasm in check! Surely that is a straightforward contradiction!
Arsenal fans love the way he is wholeheartedly a Gooner through and through, and throws himself into every single game as though his life depended on it. WE certainly don’t want him to calm down, not on the pitch anyway, but surely Roy must recognise that that he NEEDS that enthusiasm to make him into a great player.
Why should we try to restrict that quality?