Jack Wilshere: Arsenal midfielder 'on way back to his best' says Arsene Wenger

Last updated on 28 September 2017.From the section Football102

Jack Wilshere was "outstanding" as Arsenal beat Bate Borisov 4-2 in the Europa League, says boss Arsene Wenger.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, was one of nine players brought in for the game and set up Theo Walcott's opener.

Injuries have hindered Wilshere's career and he is out of contract next summer.

"He fights until the end. He's on his way back to his best and showed that," said Wenger.

Wilshere - who is not in the current England squad - has only managed 80 Premier League starts for Arsenal because of a variety of injuries since his debut nine years ago.

"He's at an age where a player normally gets to the best of his career. He's on the way up. He's only been stopped by a series of injuries," Wenger continued.

"Hopefully, I just pray, he is not hampered by any more problems and that will see him getting stronger and stronger. He's shown again that he's not lost his football."

Walcott scored twice in Belarus, Rob Holding netted his first Gunners goal and Olivier Giroud scored his 100th goal for the club with a second-half penalty.

Olivier Giroud's 100 Arsenal goals — 96 of Olivier Giroud's 100 goals have come from inside the box, six of them penalties

"I just congratulated Giroud for his remarkable achievement," said Wenger.

"He is in good company, when you look at the number of goals he's scored."

Walcott told BT Sport: "There was a chance for me to take the penalty but Olivier was on 99 goals.

"It's a great moment in his career to get 100 goals for Arsenal, I have achieved that and I know the feeling and it is brilliant. That is why he took the penalty. I can't be too selfish."

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102 comments

Comment posted by Mike, at 23:02 28 Sep 2017
Any English football fan ( regardless of which team he/she supports ) should only wish Jack Wilshere an injury - free season . Our national squad would only be enhanced by a fit and in-form JW .
Comment posted by Jim Upton, at 01:16 29 Sep 2017
In a perfect world Jack Wilshere would stay fit for the rest of the season and play for England in next year’s World Cup.

Just imagine having a player of Wilshere’s ability pulling the strings in midfield instead of that lumbering ox Jordan Henderson.

We might even get through the group stage.
Comment posted by User0405172157, at 23:13 28 Sep 2017
he has the quality to do it, he just need to stay fit.
Comment posted by Slow work day, at 04:21 29 Sep 2017
There was a brief time, some time ago now unfortunately, when wilshere was pulling the strings for arsenal and england. Sadly injuries have slowed a promising career. I hope he has an injury free run to remind us what he can do
Comment posted by D1679516480678, at 06:22 29 Sep 2017
He's looked really good of late. Hard to believe Delph has been selected for England whilst Wilshire has been over looked though maybe a blessing for Jack? There's no doubt that Ali and Wilshire are England's best midfielders by a log way. He just needs to stay clear of serious injury. How long have we been saying that for though!
Comment posted by Dr_John - not a Doctor of medicine, at 10:25 29 Sep 2017
@4.Display Name "How about sell Wilshere Walcot Cazorla Xhaka Debuchy &buy some1 world class?"

Do you ever watch games?
Anybody who has watched Arsenal over the last few years would know just how much we have missed Cazorla since he got injured. When fit, as a creative midfielder he is as good as anybody in the premier league.
Comment posted by BlueIsTheColour, at 10:55 29 Sep 2017
At the same age Lampard was knocking in 20+ goals per season, Wilshere can't even play 20 games a season.
Comment posted by higgipop, at 09:07 29 Sep 2017
I can't believe some of the so called Arsenal fans. Think back to the Liverpool game and how your team have turned things around. As a Liverpool fan I'm still waiting for the defensive issues to be addressed, something Arsenal appear to have done since Anfield. Three FA cups in four years is not failure and many many teams would love to have that record. Final thought, Klopp to Bayern Munich!
Comment posted by Carrot Catcher, at 23:17 28 Sep 2017
Not sure a fit Jack Wilshere is the answer to all Arsenal's problems. If I had to take any one out of the 3 of them (Walcott, Wilshere and Giroud - who've all been touted as surplus to requirements on more than one occasion), I'd go for Giroud. He seems to be the only one who's been anywhere near consistent when given the opportunity. Baffles me why he doesn't get played more.
Comment posted by jumbojam, at 09:26 29 Sep 2017
Anyone calling Jack Wilshere overrated just needs to look at his game vs Barca in 2011. Best team in the world (at the time) and they could not deal with him at all.

Biggest issue is always going to be around recapturing form and maintaining fitness. BATE is never going to be the team that you can measure his progress against, but I would like to see him being given a shot in the prem soon.
Comment posted by BlueIsTheColour, at 09:13 29 Sep 2017
This is Wilshere all over, one average game and he is suddenly Maradona.
Comment posted by shinyface, at 11:19 29 Sep 2017
Lawro predictions have Liverpool unbeaten in 44 league games including the whole of last season unbeaten. Truly the best team of our generation.... according to Lawro
Comment posted by BlameItOnEboue, at 12:41 29 Sep 2017
The most intelligent midfielder England has, he is the only person who knows how to control a game and dictate the play.

People knock his injury record which is fair enough, but it's not muscular as it always seems to be broken bones, not much you can do about that.

Any people may not like his personality, but you can't question his talent. If you do then you don't have a football brain.
Comment posted by adinho85, at 10:41 29 Sep 2017
His injuries have been mainly impact, not muscular, so there's hope he can stay fit. He and Cazorla are our only players that are capable of playing on the half turn. That sort of player is also needed for England (Lallana is also good on the turn). It speeds up the attack having someone that can take 2 or 3 out of the game taking the ball on the turn and releasing the pass in one movement.
Comment posted by footiefan81, at 12:04 29 Sep 2017
I like Wilshere. His base talent is clearly substantial. Capable of playing like Xavi/Iniesta, playing passes that no other english player has the quality to play. Looked like he could be world class early in his career. Much more suited to playing for an Arsenal over Bournemouth. More possession, better players. Needs to stay fit but no reason he can't get back to his best. Good luck to him.
Comment posted by Markyp1965, at 12:32 29 Sep 2017
Probably a little soon to say that Wilshere is on the way back to his best, but there is one thing that any genuine football fan should be able to recognise and that is how naturally gifted Wilshere is.
Little question that injuries have hampered his career and he has made some woeful errors of judgement.

However, fully fit and on form, Wilshere is a exciting and talented footballer, end of.
Comment posted by A_FORCE_ONE, at 07:39 29 Sep 2017
It was good to see a midfielder play the old Arsenal way, which is quick passing and always forwards with accuracy. The sideways passing is the reason why Arsenal is now such a mess. Sideways passing only allows the opposition to have more bodies in defence. I hope Wenger learns but he won't so Jack will still be warming the bench.
Comment posted by KyleCOYS, at 11:43 29 Sep 2017
As a Spurs fan, he reminds me of Ledley King (in his respective position). Clearly an extremely talented player with a career plagued by injuries which therefore didn't allow them to reach their potential.

Wilsheres attitude is awful, though.
Comment posted by Leary, at 12:04 29 Sep 2017
The biggest thing that has stopped Wilshire over the years is his ego...which is so sad as he has lots of talent.
He could have been the English equivalent of David Silva ... but whilst Silva is a lovely down to earth modest bloke, lets face it the opposite of Jack.
And then because he gets in arguments on the pitch, he then makes stupid tackles and injures himself...he is his own worst enemy!!!
Comment posted by notnowjustnow, at 13:24 29 Sep 2017
Wilshire as a player is head and shoulders above any english midfielder talent wise, makes henderson, livermore et al look like carthorses. Injuries have plagued him, any who slate his ability cleary have a club agenda. Lets hope he gets to full fitness. And this is coming from a chelsea fan