Arsenal's Jack Wilshere shows signs he is back to his best as he completes his second full 90 minutes in four days

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Around 40 minutes in, there was that same sorry sight, seen so often in these parts. Jack Wilshere was on his back, clutching some part of his left leg with one hand while the other covered his eyes.

He rolled a bit and grimaced a bit more, which is considered about par for the course of his career. Déjà vu, and all that.

But the difference this time is that the rather rough challenge from Isaac Hayden didn’t precede a ride on the stretcher. It didn’t get the clock started on another trip to rehab.

Newcastle's Isaac Hayden was booked following a tackle on Arsenal's Jack Wilshere

Instead, he got up and got on, and continued doing what he does so well when given a window of fitness, which is pull strings in Arsenal’s midfield.

This wasn’t his most incisive day – it wasn’t anyone’s, really.

But it was impressive, and on a couple of levels. In a basic sense, it was an afternoon when he looked sharp, committed, a force of will in a midfield that needs him and people like him – personalities as well as players.

Wilshere avoids Hayden's challenge during the Gunners 1-0 home win over Newcastle 

Midfielder Wilshere completed his second full 90 minutes in four days on Saturday afternoon

He does it all so well, whether he is in a more sunken role, as he often had here, or if he is further forward in the attack. 

When Arsenal zip those fast balls around the box with the aim of one perfect flick to break the defensive line, he is a key cog, cute enough in touch and quick enough with his feet to apply the tiny cuts. 

Not many players have the awareness of space or technique to pull it off quite so well.

Take his statistics for this game, as an example. He had 58 passes and 91 per cent went to a team-mate. Those aren’t sideways passes, either. 

His desire to go forward is what can make this team look so dynamic on days when it all clicks. This wasn’t quite one of them, but Wilshere more than did his bit.

Despite all his problems with injuries, Wilshere does not back out of a challenge

And that applies defensively, as well. 

You could forgive someone with his medical record for shirking the challenge. He doesn’t. 

As Newcastle cracked on for an equaliser in the second half, it was Wilshere who launched his body in the way of Hayden. 

Maybe experience ought to have taught him a greater sense of self-preservation but it’s hard to knock a guy who gives so much of himself.

Wilshere is keen to stay at Arsenal but has six months left on his current contract

All of which leads to the second impressive facet – this was his second full 90 minutes in the space of four days. 

The great unknown has been whether he could ever prove his fitness – indeed, it remains Arsene Wenger’s main reservation in the lingering discussion of whether Wilshere will get a new contract.

But he has gradually answered the question. 

Against West Ham on Wednesday he finally got his first Premier League start and went the distance after some excellent performances against lesser lights in lesser competitions. 

Here he got another start and another finish. Just like Wednesday, he was one of their best two or three players.

Long may it continue, if such a thing can be taken for granted.