Gunnerblog

Wilshere thoughts + Shakhtar Preview

13 comments November 3rd, 2010

As we travel to the Ukraine to face Shakhtar, we’re looking light in midfield: Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas, Denilson and Diaby are all missing. Fortunately, their absence is slightly balanced out by the renewed availability of a reinvigorated Jack Wilshere.

Wilshere’s new contract is reportedly worth £50,000 p/week. If he progresses as I envisage, it’ll need renegotiating again within 18 months. His burgeoning star will explode once Fabio Capello finds room for him in the England team, and we’ll have a national sensation on our hands.

For now, however, I’m quite happy that he’s just our sensation. And so, it seems, is he. His words about the club when signing his new deal were genuinely heart-warming:

“Arsenal Football Club has been like a second home for me and my family since I was nine years old. To be offered a new contract means everything to me.

At this point in my career, when I’m only 18 years old and still learning so much about the game and myself, this is the perfect club, the perfect team-mates, the perfect fans, the perfect backroom staff and most importantly, the perfect manager to help continue that.

I’ve got a long way to go before I can become the player I dream of becoming and I’m sure I’ll keep making the odd mistake, but it is a massive help for me having a special manager like Arsène Wenger and so many quality team-mates and the unbelievable Arsenal fans around me. I believe there is a lot more to come from me.”

Of course, there is part of me that jolts at his use of “at this point in my career”, panicking already that there will come a point when sunnier climes and bigger pay-cheques beckon. But it’s important to try and allay those fears, and enjoy Wilshere for what he is: the most authentically Arsenal-bred player seen in years.

Jack has been with the club for half his life. Alright we pinched him from Luton, but taking on the nine-year old Wilshere is different from signing the 15-year old Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona. By that time, Cesc already had that now infamous ‘Barca DNA’ – and we’ve benefited from that on the pitch. Jack’s DNA, however, is all Arsenal.

I’d also argue that Jack’s DNA is that of a Number 10, but tonight he’s almost certain to continue in the holding role. With so many other potential incumbents injured, he’ll be partnered by either Craig Eastmond or a re-programmed Samir Nasri, with Rosicky ahead. Arsene seems keen for Wilshere, Nasri and Rosicky to share the creative burden, though I’d be a little surprised if he selected them all in central midfield. Even by his standards that would be a little cavalier.

The defence should be largely unchanged, but there will be rotation upfront. Marouane Chamakh, and Andrey Arshavin is absent with a virus – his replacement in yesterday’s press conference, Nicklas Bendtner, is in line for a start tonight.

Theo Walcott ought to play too, and when asked yesterday Arsene Wenger reiterated his belief that Walcott will develop in to a centre-forward. I can’t see that happening particularly soon: the 4-3-3 means we need a player more adept at holding the ball up. Whilst Theo’s movement and pace are a real threat, I’m not sure he’s good enough with his back to goal to play that role. However, he has been used there on a couple of occasions this season, late on in games when we’re happy to sit deep and look to counter. For now, I’m happy with him playing wide. Our fluid system means that starting on the wing doesn’t prevent him from making bursts through the middle. Remember that when Thierry Henry, with whom inevitable comparisons are being drawn, played ‘upfront’ his starting position was often hugged against the left touchline.

The date for our League Cup Quarter-Final has been announced: we will face Wigan on the 30th November at 7.45pm. In the wake of Arsene’s decision to take the competition more seriously, several youngsters have gone out on loan. Mark Randall joined Rotheram, only to break his collarbone immediately. Two younger prospects, Tom Cruise and Benik Afobe, have joined Carlisle United and Huddersfield Town respectively. Afobe is certainly one to watch: his pace and finishing prowess have seen him heralded as a star of the future. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who had been expected to leave on loan, has travelled with the squad and could play a part tonight.

It won’t be an easy game, but the motivation to win is that it would pretty much tie up top spot in the group, and allow us an opportunity to rest players in the remaining games. I think we might struggle with so many absentees, so would be happy to take a draw. Shakhtar will certainly want some retribution for the humiliation handed to them at the Emirates.