Is it because the media now expect Wenger's 18 year-olds to be more technically gifted than all the other Premiership's under twenty-ones that they're not eulogising about such a rare creature as a technically gifted Englishman? Or is it because they wouldn't recognise a real footballer if he bit them in the arse? Or is it perhaps, more probably, because they've all nailed their colours to the Wenger's destroying English football rollocks?
Charlie George, Liam Brady, Cesc Fabregas and now Jack Wilshere - you just knew how much you were going to enjoy them in years to come from the very first touch you saw them play in the first team. Just as with Charlie, Liam and Cesc you know that as Jack starts his career he's a long way from being the finished article but you also have no doubts whatsoever that he has the potential to be as good if not better than any of them. Jack glides past players like Liam, just as if he's on rollers rather than running. Also similar to Liam is his ability to maintain total control of the ball without even looking at it and by using any part of his foot from whatever angle to control it. As with Charlie he has a certain self-confidence that money just can't buy and an understated swagger which tells everyone that not only is he a class above the rest, but that he knows it and given the opportunity will prove it.
His similarity to Cesc is the way in which he seemingly knows where everyone on the pitch is at any given point, this comes from keeping his head up and perpetually looking around. He's busy like Cesc and not only always wants the ball but is usually in sufficient space to receive it. Just like Cesc he not only knows where everyone is at any given time but also their pace and direction of movement, so that any passes he makes appear to be instinctive rather than considered. Again as with both Cesc and Liam he knows where the ball will be going before it arrives and, as you will no doubt have observed, his passing range is seemingly limitless.
I doubt that his sending off on Saturday will be his last, but I love the fact that he's the sort of player that won't take crap from an opponent. It's time we had some more of those in the team and Jack is rather Berkampesque in that regard. He might be younger, shorter and less experienced than his opposite numbers but that that's not going to stop him putting it about whoever you might be. Try to kick him by all means, he knows you'll try and is expecting it, but you better be aware that is not going to be the last you hear or more probably feel regarding the matter. I love the way he can take it as well as dish it out, he almost always bounces straight up again when knocked down. For an eighteen year-old that's quite remarkable, but then again I have no doubt that opponents have been trying to kick him since he was about eight or nine so he's well practised in the art of tackle avoidance. An eighteen year-old. I have to keep repeating that because he doesn't play like an eighteen year-old. Technically he's eighteen going on about twenty-eight.
I get the impression he has a winning mentality but that has yet to be proved. I also reckon that in time we might see him unleash the sort of power shots that made Charlie the hero of the North Bank. I have no doubt also that there a lot more tricks in his locker that some day will amaze us in the way that Henry or Bergkamp did. Time will tell. I know it's far too early in his career to predict how it might go, I know he's yet to suffer the standard distractions that come the way of young men with far too much money. I know too that nothing is certain in life, I've seen a lot of players with potential who didn't make it big time but the idea of being there at first hand to watch Jack's career unfold is a fabulous prospect. It's also one I feel could well be worth the price of my season ticket in years to come.
Source: Brian Dawes, The Online Gooner on 19 Oct 10
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