Jack Wilshere has “an English heart”

One of my favorite Arsenal players of all-time is Jack Wilshere. Unfortunately for the lad, injury after injury not only slowed his growth as a football superstar, but basically ruined his career. From 2011 through 2020, Jack had 11 serious injures that put him on the sidelines. Of those 11 injuries, his longest rehabs were 221 days, 138 days, 112 days, 247 days, 90 days, 125 days and 104 days.

Now at 29, the man once labelled as the “future of Engand’s national team” is possibly looking at early retirement from the game he has played since he was old enough to kick his first ball.

What I admired most about Jack was his ability, and willingness, to put his head down and attack the center of the field with the ball at his feet. Dashing and darting, while flicking off those quick short passes to his forwards upfront. That was his identity,  and ultimately, that was also his achilles heal. His hard nosed style and aggressive play is what helped to bring on that long list of injuries.

Today, due to passport politics between Brexit and the European Union, Jack is on the sidelines and unable to play matches for the Serie B side Como in Italy. He has been training with this club while waiting for someone to pick him up and give him another chance during the past transfer window. As of today, he is still waiting.

In his heyday at the Emirates, Wilshere had the real DNA of Arsenal football. He was spirited, aggressive, rebellious, youthful, and full of the wild stuff that made footballers footballers.

He came up through the Arsenal Academy, and at 16 years old, he became the youngest player to ever step on the pitch in a league match for the Gunners. He has been the PFA Young Player of the Year, named to the PFA Team of the Year, and was the Arsenal Player of the Year for 201-2011 season.  He made his England national team debut at 18, and was earmarked to eventually be the team’s captain.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger once said about Jack, “He has Spanish technique, but an English heart.”

During his Arsenal career with the senior team from 2008 to 2018, Wilshere was sent out on loan twice. In 2018, he left Arsenal and moved to West Ham United. He was sent out on loan last season to Bournemouth.

Overall in his career he made 274 total senior team appearances, and scored 18 goals.

Yes, I miss Jack Wilshere. Wouldn’t it be great to see him in that red and white kit once again, darting and dashing around the Emirates pitch? His presence alone, even on the sideline, would reenergize the Arsenal faithful. However, this is only a dream. Jack’s big league days are probably over, but it would still be awesome to see someone give him just one more chance. I think he deserves that, because even though his legs might not be full of his once youthful speed, his heart is still an English heart.

Cheers.

Gunner1953