Jack Wilshere surprising Arsene Wenger after 16 years – but the Arsenal boss still ‘worries when he goes down’

Even after 16 years at Arsenal, Jack Wilshere continues to surprise Arsene Wenger.

But for all the bumps and bruises that continue to give his manager sleepless lights Wilshere has never lost the faith of Wenger, even during years in the wilderness due to a string of injuries.

Though it will always feel premature to state that the 25-year-old has put his chequered fitness record behind him, this season has seen Wilshere reinvigorated, rising to every challenge set for him in his bid to win the new contract that looks set to be agreed next month.

Having excelled in the Europa League Wilshere has returned to Wenger’s Premier League side with ease, completing 90 minutes in each of Arsenal’s last four top flight games. His resurgence culminated in the exceptional display in Thursday’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace, where his brilliant lofted through-ball to Alexis Sanchez secured victory at Selhurst Park.

During the injury nightmare that began with a broken ankle in the summer of 2011 and effectively cost him two full seasons at Arsenal – as well as forcing him out on loan to Bournemouth last year where he looked to rebuild his match fitness – some pundits suggested Wilshere’s career may be over.

His manager never believed that to be the case.

“I never [thought his career was over],” Wenger told Standard Sport.

“In my job what is very important is always to continue to believe in human beings. I believe in everybody there is a light to fight.

“I never gave up on him.”

Wenger added: “When he stays down I worry yes.

“Give him credit for what he has been through and his performance tonight. That deserves credit, it demands some character. I have a big respect for that.

“It’s all nicey nicey when you’re super talented and everybody says you’re the greatest player at 17. But to come back to that level when you’ve gone through what he has gone through that shows a special character.”

That mental fortitude has been apparent throughout Wilshere’s return to Wenger’s strongest side, where he has immediately imposed his will and personality on a side that has so often appeared to lack leadership in central areas.

Indeed Thursday’s win hinted that Wenger could finally have found the man to replace Santi Cazorla, another exceptional playmaker plagued by injuries. The Spaniard, signed from Malaga as an attacking midfielder, was refashioned into a deep-lying playmaker in early 2015, where he brought wizardry and vision to Arsenal’s build-up play.

The same skillset was evident in Wilshere’s display at Selhurst Park. Often sitting deeper even than nominal anchor-man Granit Xhaka it was the No.10 who collected the ball from the defence, setting the tempo for an incisive Arsenal display with penetrative, probing passing from deep.

“Where he has really improved is tactically and defensively,” Wenger said. “You see when he does that his offensive game becomes even better. Jack has a great quality, when he meets the ball he gets you out of the first pressure. He has that little burst that gets you out of pressure and then suddenly he opens the game up.”

The coming weeks will be crucial for Wilshere, who has more than just a new contract to earn.

England boss Gareth Southgate has not been shy in expressing his doubts over Wilshere, questioning Wenger’s assessment of his best position and claiming the midfielder could not get in the Three Lions side if he was not being selected in Arsenal’s strongest XI.

Southgate names his squad for friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy in March and, if Wilshere continues on his current trajectory, Wenger is convinced the Arsenal playmaker will be in the reckoning.

“I don’t think Southgate ignores him,” he said. “But he will certainly rethink about his situation when Wilshere plays performances like that.”

The England manager may not be the only doubter Wilshere silences before the season is out.