Jack Wilshere's fit again. He's ready to take his position on the pitch. However, where is there room? For as heretical as it may be to suggest, it's hard to see just where he can find a way into the starting XI. The emergence of Francis Coquelin as a proper defensive midfielder, should it prove out over the long term, narrows Jack's options even more than before. Early in the season, it looked like his performances for the Three Lions hinted at a deeper-lying role with Arsenal; after all, Aaron Ramsey seemed to have secured the box-to-box role role in the 4-2-3-1 we so often play. If only be default, Wilshere's future might have lay in replacing Arteta in the holding role. Then, along come Coquelin. If he is serious about his desire to emulate Vieira (or, more fitting, Gilberto). Where, then, does Wilshere's future lie?
It's a tough season when long-time Gunners such as Szczęsny and Wilshere are relegated to the bench for newer, sexier models. Then again, it's a fine season indeed when there's genuine competition for a starting spot. The sentimental attachment to Wilshere—he's been with Arsenal since he was nine, for chrissake—starts to suffer a bit when we consider just how good we've been without him in the lineup. That's not entirely fair, of course, as we might have done just as well had Ramsey been sidelined as long as Wilshere has been. That, however, neglects one new variable to be introduced alongside several others.
The emergence of Francis Coquelin has, for now, settled one debate: who will shield the defense? Since his return from Charlon Athletic, he's been a revelation, out-tackling and out-playing the likes of Matić, Touré, and Schneiderlin. Along the way, he's addressed one of Arsenal's most long-standing needs. Not only does he shield the back-four (after all, mild-mannered Mikel has done that...); he's also added some grit, some tenacity, some bloody knuckles to Arsenal. By contrast with Wilshere, he's far more likely to send opponents flying than he is to go flying himself.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are said to be skulking about, ready to offer Wilshere a weekly wage-packet in excess of £100,000 per week. This would double (if not more) Wilshere's current contract, which runs until 2018. At one level, my heart breaks to even consider the possibilities at this level. I love Wilshere. He's scrappy. He's a Gunner. Hell, he's a Gooner.
However, where is there room for him? Could he supplant Özil, Alexis, Cazorla, or Ramsey? Even if we admit that Cazorla at age 30 is waning rather than waxing, that's still some awfully stiff competition for the creative, attacking role that Wilshere has excelled at. As it currently stands, he'd still be best getting forward and driving deep in to the opposition's defence, performances against San Marino, Switzerland, or Estonia notwithstanding. Those performances for England just didn't test his defensive tenacity or mindset; he was still able to focus on passing, creating, and attacking. In none of those matches did he have to tackle, intercept, or defend, and so we're left wondering just how much we could trust him in that role.
Coquelin has now shown his capabilities in wins over Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool; then again, he's also been culpable in losses to Southampton, Tottenham, and AS Monaco. In other words, it's a bit too early to entrust Coquelin with that holding role, even if we can't quite trust Wilshere to adapt to it. In his heart, Wilshere is a creator and attacker. That begs the question of what he's best at and what Arsenal needs most.
Arsène has shown an uncanny knack for unloading players when their transfer-fees would far-exceed their performance. Far be it from me to suggest that Wilshere has reached that crossroads. Then again, if Wilshere could be moved for the right price—enough to bring in another "true" defensive-midfielder such as Schneiderlin—would that be worth seeing him in City blue?
It's a tough season when long-time Gunners such as Szczęsny and Wilshere are relegated to the bench for newer, sexier models. Then again, it's a fine season indeed when there's genuine competition for a starting spot. The sentimental attachment to Wilshere—he's been with Arsenal since he was nine, for chrissake—starts to suffer a bit when we consider just how good we've been without him in the lineup. That's not entirely fair, of course, as we might have done just as well had Ramsey been sidelined as long as Wilshere has been. That, however, neglects one new variable to be introduced alongside several others.The emergence of Francis Coquelin has, for now, settled one debate: who will shield the defense? Since his return from Charlon Athletic, he's been a revelation, out-tackling and out-playing the likes of Matić, Touré, and Schneiderlin. Along the way, he's addressed one of Arsenal's most long-standing needs. Not only does he shield the back-four (after all, mild-mannered Mikel has done that...); he's also added some grit, some tenacity, some bloody knuckles to Arsenal. By contrast with Wilshere, he's far more likely to send opponents flying than he is to go flying himself.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are said to be skulking about, ready to offer Wilshere a weekly wage-packet in excess of £100,000 per week. This would double (if not more) Wilshere's current contract, which runs until 2018. At one level, my heart breaks to even consider the possibilities at this level. I love Wilshere. He's scrappy. He's a Gunner. Hell, he's a Gooner.
However, where is there room for him? Could he supplant Özil, Alexis, Cazorla, or Ramsey? Even if we admit that Cazorla at age 30 is waning rather than waxing, that's still some awfully stiff competition for the creative, attacking role that Wilshere has excelled at. As it currently stands, he'd still be best getting forward and driving deep in to the opposition's defence, performances against San Marino, Switzerland, or Estonia notwithstanding. Those performances for England just didn't test his defensive tenacity or mindset; he was still able to focus on passing, creating, and attacking. In none of those matches did he have to tackle, intercept, or defend, and so we're left wondering just how much we could trust him in that role.
Coquelin has now shown his capabilities in wins over Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool; then again, he's also been culpable in losses to Southampton, Tottenham, and AS Monaco. In other words, it's a bit too early to entrust Coquelin with that holding role, even if we can't quite trust Wilshere to adapt to it. In his heart, Wilshere is a creator and attacker. That begs the question of what he's best at and what Arsenal needs most.
Arsène has shown an uncanny knack for unloading players when their transfer-fees would far-exceed their performance. Far be it from me to suggest that Wilshere has reached that crossroads. Then again, if Wilshere could be moved for the right price—enough to bring in another "true" defensive-midfielder such as Schneiderlin—would that be worth seeing him in City blue?
I'm worried that Wilshere will get squeezed out, he's good but not great at getting forward, but this quality only seems to expose his weakness in defense. Ramsey is not much bigger but seems to play bigger, he can go toe to toe with the likes of Toure and muscle opponents off the ball. Coquelin seems more aware of his limitations and he plays within them, focusing on intercepting, tackling, and recycling possession to others. Wilshere seems to want to be the center of attention too much for his own good. If he can reign that in and commit to a role, he'll be brilliant! Jack of all trades, ace of none, as the saying goes.
ReplyDeleteMy worry with letting Corporal Jenks go is that Debuchy’s time frame is probably a couple of years, possibly three tops? If Sagna got let go through age (I see offering him uncompetitive contracts due to age as letting him go), I don’t hold much hope for Debuchy.
ReplyDeleteThe season after next I would much rather have Jenks and Debuchy with plenty of years ahead of them both fighting for first spot and being backup between them.
How we amicably reach that stage is why Arsene is renumerated as he is.
To not do so, is short sighted, in my opinion. We will be in a situation a short way down the track where we either have to go through the hunt for a replacement and use the same sort of funds that Jenks would recoup on outlaying for a backup.
Or we sign a green youngster and cross our fingers that Bellerin can manage 65 games in a season.
And as I write that, I understand that we will bank the £10m on Jenks and do exactly that. Or just play Calum “I haven’t got the legs or the positional sense to be a fullback in this system” Chambers there when it all goes wrong.
Harrumph!
We seem to have more of a game plan about us... even though it's landed in spurts. I'd like to be convinced we've turned the corner, but we still have a Monaco in the locker. We still have a Spurs there too. Still, we'll find out against an in form United and Chelsea in a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteThe fitness has improved. Part of me hopes Shad has got more say and he's working magic. The cynic worries our players get injured in 3 month cycles... and so many of our players only landed back in the team at Christmas. Still, the players look strong and fit at the moment. Be interesting to see what happens when we come back next year.
There are loads of big questions. I do remember feeling buoyant like this the last 3 years running though. I do remember predicting in early December this would happen and we'd all feel like this.
So, positives everywhere... but the cynic is still there. Lurking. Is this really change? Or is it just a disappointing season wrapped in a great finish. As per usual...
We'll wait and see.