Arsenal: Jack Wilshere’s dramatic fall from grace reaches its climax – RealSport101
From a wonderkid ready to take on the world to an injury-prone squad member Arsenal are trying to flog... RealSport discuss the career of Jack Wilshere.
Its September 2008 and Arsenal are away to Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League. A young kid called Jack Wilshere who has been making a name for himself in the reserves was given a place on the bench. Before Wilshere, Wayne Rooney was the last 16-year-old Englishman to receive this much fuss and attention.
In the 84th minute, Arsene Wenger decided Wilshere deserved to make his professional debut and came on for Robin ban Persie as a substitute. He became Arsenals youngest ever debutant at just 16 years and 256 days.
Ten days later, he scored his first goal in a 6-0 League Cup win over Sheffield United. In November that year Wilshere became only the fifth 16-year-old to appear in the Champions League, against Dynamo Kiev. The world was at his feet and it took no time at all for the confident teenager to show what he was all about.
There truly was a star in the making.
Still not quite in the first XI on a full time basis, Wenger decided a loan move to Bolton Wanderers would further Wilsheres development and so he joined the Trotters in January 2010 until the end of the season.
He impressed so much in the midfield that they tried to resign him for the whole of the 2010/11 season but Arsenal werent having it. He was ready to become a prominent first team figure for the North Londoners.
Wilshere started the season with another career milestone and made his senior England debut in August against Hungary at just 18-years-old. The midfielder made a great start to the season for Arsenal, playing all of their August fixtures and continued his fine form into October.
However, we saw the first incident of petulance and immaturity from Wilshere that month, getting sent off for a tackle against Nicola Zigic against Birmingham City.
It was certainly a learning curve for Wilshere as he returned to finish a wonderful campaign, featuring an incredible 49 times for Arsenal that season, winning the clubs Player of the Year Award, the PFA Young Player of the Year and getting into the PFA Team of the Year.
However, the summer leading up to the 2011/12 season is where it all started to go wrong for the boy wonder.
A stress fracture to his ankle he received in a pre-season game was expected to keep him out until February. However, setback after setback occurred and the midfielder did not play a single minute of football that season, even missing the 2012 Summer Olympics and Englands 2012 European Championship campaign.
His rehabilitation continued into next season and after an incredible 17-month lay off, Wilsheres nightmare appeared to be over, playing in the Premier League win over Queens Park Rangers. It was like the 20-year-old had never left, earning the Man of the Match award. He continued to produce fine form, however little injuries become a regular occurrence and Wenger confirmed he would have minor surgery at the end of the season to remove a pin.
It was a quick recovery and Wilshere was ready for the 2013/14 season. His performances were yet again impressive, however in March of that season Wilshere suffered a hairline fracture on his left foot in a game against Denmark for England. It kept him out for six weeks and the injuries were beginning to mount up, though he did end the season coming on as a substitute to win his first major trophy in a 3-2 FA Cup Final win over Hull City.
However, his joy was short lived and in November of next season, Wilshere picked up yet another injury to his ankle, ruling him out for three months.
The following pre season and Wilshere again suffered injury heartbreak, breaking his fibula, which was supposed to rule him out for one month, however required surgery in September which ruled him out for a further three.
Wilshere has admitted that injuries have left him frustrated but he works hard to return as soon as possible and made the decision to move on loan to Bournemouth for the 2016/17 season to regain his form, fitness and play regular football. It wasnt the career path Wilshere would have wanted to take.
By now he was expected to be one of the worlds best midfielders and the first name on Arsenals team sheet. Wilshere then was rightly commended for taking the choice to try and resurrect his career rather than sit on Arsenals bench.
However, Wilshere, despite making a healthy number of appearances largely failed to impress and in April in a match against Tottenham Hotspur once again suffered an injury. He received a hairline fracture to his left fibula in an apparently nothing challenge with Harry Kane. He required surgery and would miss the rest of the season.
It has led to Arsenal and Wenger losing patience.
The one-time boy wonder who could dominate midfields and weave his way past any opponent with his dribbling ability and low centre of gravity. The man who was supposed to run the show for England for the next generation and who famously dominated a Barcelona midfield consisting of Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi in a Champions League knockout game. He is now someone who Arsenal appear happy to let go for a paltry 9 million to Sampdoria of Italy.
Perhaps more worryingly for Wilshere, is the fact that there seem to be no takers, even at that price.
His injury record is far too risky. Arsenal fans will be devastated. He was one of their own and one of the most talented youngsters in world football. Wilshere was a ready-made captain and legend for the club just waiting to happen. The fans loved his ability and his fiery attitude.
As it is, Wilsheres career has taken a very different path. Hopefully a fresh start will be making of the former boy wonder.
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Arsenal: Jack Wilshere's dramatic fall from grace reaches its climax - RealSport101
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