Jack Wilshere and our future midfield

[Dr Singh]

The signing of Ozil has had many fantastic knock on effects for Arsenal Football Club.

One topic of interest is how the signing of Ozil may indeed completely divert the career path of Jack Wilshere.

Up til this point, many people have debated where they'd like to see Wilshere deployed and how he should best be utilized and groomed. He's always seemed like a natural number 10 given his technical ability, and could have been a valuable asset given his tenacity and aggression from the front. He's also shown himself to be more than capable when used in a deeper role, particularly with his exploits against Barcelona on the big stage.

Given that Ozil is only 24, and clearly light years ahead of any other number 10 on the planet, I think it's fair to say that Jack's development will finally take a certain pathway, and he will be groomed into a deeper midfielder. One could argue that Ozil could be an ideal role model for Jack, but long term it would make more sense for him to focus on developing his game to play a position where he can actually play 90 minutes every week.

Right now I'd say our best balanced midfield double pivot would in fact be Ramsey + Either Arteta or Flamini. Ramsey has proven himself to be a key man in our midfield over the last 6 months, and the natural defensive instincts of Arteta and Flamini best solidify the pivot. Long term I can see Wilshere and Ramsey developing as our double pivot, simply because that's the only position available to Jack in our team, and he's too talented and driven to not make it. Our current selection of 4 is actually ideal with two highly talented individuals competing with two more experienced and very professional players.

If that's the case, then perhaps it's easy to see why we didn't go for another CM over summer? If we did sign someone like Bender or Gustavo, then where would that leave Jack? I'm sure many feel he's a better option than Ramsey long term, but certainly not with Ramsey performing as he is currently.

I have no problem talent wise with a long term pairing of Wilshere and Ramsey. They are both individually fantastic options and have a strong work ethic. With experience they will develop a sound relationship and hopefully achieve a good balance. The obvious glaring deficiency in their pairing would be the lack of size and physical presence between them, but does that even matter anymore in this day and age?

How would you like to see our midfield develop, not only this season but with the next season in mind? With names like Khedira, Pogba, Gundogan and Bender still being thrown around, what would you be hoping for?

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I had to think to myself which Singh you were until I looked at your post count, lol.

I think your hypothesis on Ozil's influence is logical and I'm hoping that the pressure on him eases a little and he is allowed to develop his game surrounded by talents and out of the spot light a little. The press on England will periodically dig him out when the national team is lacklustre so its good if he can escape it whilst playing for us.

Hopefully, the more he acknowledges the strength of ability around him, the more he will stop trying to force the issue when he plays or do too much.

[JonasTC]

I think when people were screaming for a CM in the transfer window, they didnt expect Ramsey to come out guns blazing and Flamini actually doing a decent job from day 1.

Wilshere just needs to play a season without getting injuried all the time and then im sure we'll see the guy from the barca game back

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I'm sure he is intelligent enough and has enough ability to hone his skills with game time in the team and patience as you say Jonas. Towards the end of 2012 people were raving about Wilshere in the Arsenal team and I particularly remember John Cross Opining that he thinks that Wilshere is even better than he was before his injury.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Made the point a few days back that Wilshere will have to become Ozil's understudy. And, I think it's already playing out, as Jack's game certainly improved vs the Mackems over the weekend.

Apart from an early attempt to force his way through, he otherwise looked a bit settled, linking up with Ozil and making a few passes instead of his usual propensity to hang onto the ball too long.

[Nayan]

our best results came from a 4-4-1-1. Flat back four, then two powerful midfielders flanked by wingers, and then bergkamp +1 as a withdrawn striker/playmaker plus a runner.

There is no reason why the middle of the park could be (say) wilshere and ramsey behind Ozil. And those three wont always be available at the same time anyway

[mastermind84]

Ramsey is becoming a massive physical presence.

In saying that, Jack and Ramsey will need to get their tactical acumen in balance so that they can play together.

I never understood the #10 thinking fans have for Jack when he is not a good goal scorer and does not create many chances.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

The signing of Ozil has had many fantastic knock on effects for Arsenal Football Club.

One topic of interest is how the signing of Ozil may indeed completely divert the career path of Jack Wilshere.

Up til this point, many people have debated where they'd like to see Wilshere deployed and how he should best be utilized and groomed. He's always seemed like a natural number 10 given his technical ability, and could have been a valuable asset given his tenacity and aggression from the front. He's also shown himself to be more than capable when used in a deeper role, particularly with his exploits against Barcelona on the big stage.

Given that Ozil is only 24, and clearly light years ahead of any other number 10 on the planet, I think it's fair to say that Jack's development will finally take a certain pathway, and he will be groomed into a deeper midfielder. One could argue that Ozil could be an ideal role model for Jack, but long term it would make more sense for him to focus on developing his game to play a position where he can actually play 90 minutes every week.

Right now I'd say our best balanced midfield double pivot would in fact be Ramsey + Either Arteta or Flamini. Ramsey has proven himself to be a key man in our midfield over the last 6 months, and the natural defensive instincts of Arteta and Flamini best solidify the pivot. Long term I can see Wilshere and Ramsey developing as our double pivot, simply because that's the only position available to Jack in our team, and he's too talented and driven to not make it. Our current selection of 4 is actually ideal with two highly talented individuals competing with two more experienced and very professional players.

If that's the case, then perhaps it's easy to see why we didn't go for another CM over summer? If we did sign someone like Bender or Gustavo, then where would that leave Jack? I'm sure many feel he's a better option than Ramsey long term, but certainly not with Ramsey performing as he is currently.

I have no problem talent wise with a long term pairing of Wilshere and Ramsey. They are both individually fantastic options and have a strong work ethic. With experience they will develop a sound relationship and hopefully achieve a good balance. The obvious glaring deficiency in their pairing would be the lack of size and physical presence between them, but does that even matter anymore in this day and age?

How would you like to see our midfield develop, not only this season but with the next season in mind? With names like Khedira, Pogba, Gundogan and Bender still being thrown around, what would you be hoping for?

The fact of the matter is that Jack has been stagnating over the past few months. That's taking nothing away from his ability and potential because both are clearly high, however he was out for such a long time and while we expected him to slot back in with ease, he hasn't. Whether the time out had a psychological effect or whether he is still carrying the ill-effects of that injury, we don't really know. For someone who played like Xavi morphed with Iniesta, he's now playing like Denilson morphed with Bischoff.

He's exactly where Ramsey was a year ago; constantly over playing the ball, taking too many touches, trying to take every player on like he's Messi. But his body is not responding to what he wants to do in his brain. He's bulked up a lot but has that actually hindered him instead of helped? When he was leaner he was able to glide past players in quick fashion, evident that night against Barca when he schooled their midfield. Now he has bulked he's slightly slower and more mechanic on the ball.

I'm in 2 minds as to whether to keep playing him like we did with Ramsey until he eventually gets better, or give him a rest to ensure his ankle doesn't fuck up again. I'm thinking the latter but that's purely because we're in dire need of a trophy and we need players that are at 100% starting every game. Wilshere isn't and I'm not sure whether game time will get him there. It might actually be rest.

[Marc Overmars]

He clearly has ability but it needs to be harnessed properly, he's got too many bad habits right now. Not too worried because he's got years to develop and now we have Özil the expectation on Wheechair can hopefully subside.

[Penguin]

People were quick to write off Ramsey last season but now it looks like he's finally coming good. Give Wilshere time and he might do the same.