Arsene Wenger has revealed he will not give up on crocked midfield star Jack Wilshere, despite his persistent troubles with injury (via ESPN FC).
Wilshere, labelled as a “special talent” by the manager that gave him his first start for the Gunners back in 2008, has struggled to shrug off injuries over the last few seasons and questions have been asked over his long term future at the club.
The 23-year-old is currently sidelined with a broken leg suffered during the tail end of the 2015/16 preseason, with an expected return date over the Christmas period now pushed back to February.
Despite Wilshere’s ongoing fitness problems, Wenger still holds his most promising midfield prodigy in high regard and remains positive that he can still carve out a successful career in north London.
“I am an optimistic,” Wenger told the Press Association (via ESPN FC) when quizzed on the long term fitness of the England international.
“I always think: ‘OK it’s true that he hasn’t played many games in recent years.’ I hope at some stage that will stop because he is young and I hope I’m right.
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“He is a special case because he is a special talent and he comes out of the club. And he is an England international and I hope his injuries will stop at some stage.”
Wenger reiterated his commitment to helping Wilshere through one of his most challenging periods of his professional career and feels the attitude and desire is still there for the young England international who has grown through the ranks at Arsenal.
“He has two years left and I want Jack to stay here,” the Frenchman added.
“When you love football and at his age, when you wake up in the morning and you can’t practice that’s terrible.
“They need support and I try to give it to him. But he is strong and he is dealing with that. He started at 17 and played every single game and suddenly it stopped. So I believe that can make you stronger.”
Wilshere certainly seems to be heading down a similarly depressing path to Abou Diaby, who despite his best efforts, never shrugged off his injury troubles. But the midfielder still has plenty of time on his side and just needs to get consistent minutes under his belt.
The primary focus is on nursing the Englishman back to full fitness to aid Arsenal’s title challenge, then perhaps a chance for him to shine for England in Euro 2016 this summer.
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