Jack Wilshere…a story of hope and despair

At one time, Jack Wilshere was considered to be England’s next golden boy, following the likes of David Beckham, Steve Gerrard and Wayne Rooney. Unfortunately, one injury after the next brought the once promising midfielder’s career to a slow trot. Today, he continues rehab for a pelvic area injury that keeps him sidelined at his new club, West Ham United.

Wilshere came to the Arsenal Academy as a 9-year-old boy. He stayed with the Gunners until 2018. He joined Arsene Wenger’s first team at 16-years-old, and made his Premier League debut vs. Blackburn Rovers in September, 2008. He remains the youngest Arsenal player to ever participate in a Premier League match. At that point, Jack’s future looked bright. He was young, spry, quick, and had a lot of guts. Wilshere was never afraid to put his shoulder down and charge into the opposition’s back line…never.

Unfortunately, the problems began to pile up. First an ankle injury during the 2011-2012 season forced him out for the remainder of that campaign. He would rehab, get hurt, and rehab again. Finally, after failing to gain much game time for Arsenal, Jack was sent out on loan, first to Bolton, and then to Bournemouth. In the summer of 2018, he was done at the Emirates and signed with West Ham United in the hopes of rebooting his career.

In the 2018-2019 season, Jack made 14 appearances for the Hammers. Then, this season he has again had limited playing time. Once again cut short by injury. He has now been out since October. His $130,000 USD per week salary with WHU ends the summer of 2021.

David Moyes is now Jack’s new boss, and Moyes is eager to have Wilshere back on the pitch. The Hammers find themselves in the relegation zone, currently holding down 18th place. Moyes will push Wilshere to get fit due to West Ham’s lack of squad depth. This should benefit a quicker return to the pitch once he is healthy.

I am a big fan of Jack Wilshere. His head down, never say die attitude was a joy to watch when he played for the Gunners. Since I started following the Gunners in 2004, Jack ranks among the top 25 of my all-time, favorite Arsenal players. To me, he will always be an Arsenal man. Unfortunately, fate and injury kept him from rising to the greatness everyone expected from this English lad.

We will keep an eye on his next return to the pitch. At only 28, Wilshere still has some time left to show his stuff. We should keep our fingers crossed for Jack Wilshere and the rest of his footballing career. He deserves it.

Cheers. Gunner1953