The speed and simplicity of Arsenal's Jack Wilshere goes unrewarded

The 18-year-old's range of passing can disturb opposing defences and his short game is a joy to behold.

Sometimes the disappointment of losing must not override a constructive look at the positive points. That was the case at Stamford Bridge, with Jack Wilshere showing that we have a young English player of immense talent.

The two teams began the match with an adventurous philosophy. Both sets of full-backs galloped forward while the responsibility for bolting the door fell on Alex Song and the towering Abou Diaby for Arsenal and Mikel John Obi for Chelsea. With Song tight on Ramires and Diaby pushing on to Michael Essien, Wilshere was able to play his delightful one-touch game. He reminded me of Alan Ball with his economical early passing and simple but correct selection of which ball to play.

I have seen Wilshere develop from a young age since coming to Arsenal from Luton; in this game, playing among top, experienced internationals, he showed great maturity and lovely qualities. When he is on the ball he can see the picture and dispatch the pass with speed and simplicity. He will also immediately take up another position to receive the next pass. He is unselfish and has a range of pass which is surprising for such a diminutive figure.

Towards the end of the first half Chelsea's power from full-back was becoming the telling factor, with Arsenal contained. After Didier Drogba's goal, one suspected Chelsea might be strong enough to protect their lead and so it proved. Arsène Wenger would have been frustrated to see Arsenal's superior possession fail to pay off but he will not lose faith. Nor should he.

It was a game of good quality and there is no doubt that the persistent Arsenal knockers will once again criticise the result rather than look at the quality of the performance. A slightly fairer score would have been a draw but, as we know, possession is no longer nine-tenths of the law. Teams rely on fast counter-attacks and suck the opposition in. Last week Chelsea themselves suffered in a similar fashion against Manchester City.

There is, of course, a small downside, which pervades the Arsenal team. For all their good football, they are reluctant shooters. It is a state of mind; they want to score a "nice" goal.

Here they dominated the second period and stopped the Chelsea full-backs from venturing forward, yet Petr Cech was not tested enough. But should Arsenal combine their love for the ball with more purposeful goal attempts in the last 30 yards, their rhythmic rotations will prove worthwhile.

Source: David Pleat, The Guardian on 4 Oct 10