Wilshere Praised By Wenger – More Kids Against Madrid

After being arguably Arsenal’s Man-Of-The-Match against Juventus earlier today, Arsène Wenger has dished out yet more ‘reserved’ praise on Jack Wilshere, and admits his development proves the club are willing to bring through England talents.

Wilshere – still only 16 – played an hour against a physical and experienced Juventus side, and although Wenger, like most fans, is excited by his amazing potential, he was keen to ‘respect his development’.

“Do not be impressed by his small size because he is not phased by the physical challenges, He really looks mature on the pitch, but he is 16 and we have to respect his development.”

In a week which saw David Bentley’s transfer to Tottenham bring up suggestions Wenger is not doing enough to bring through English prospects, Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs -both England Youth Internationals – started, with Henri Lansbury, Gavin Hoyte and Mark Randall on the bench. This prompted a rare assault on the media, with reference to Jack.

“However, do not reproach me now about not playing English players.”

A heavy win is now required against Real Madrid tomorrow if Arsenal are to retain the Cup, and with the Gunners having played just 24 hours before, expect a new set of players to be added to the squad.

Armand Traore, Vito Mannone and Nacer Barazite were all in the crowd this afternoon, and all three could feature at some point. Mark Randall and Henri Lansbury were both named on the bench, and they too are expected to taste the Emirates atmosphere before the weekend is out.

Wenger also revealed Theo Walcott will start tomorrow, and said he had total confidence in the 19 year old.

Amaury Bischoff is only youngster who is out, with the Portuguese Under 21 international continuing his gym work, in a bid to gain fitness following two successive surgeries on his groin last year. No date has been set for his debut, but he will play the first three months of the season with Neil Banfield, in the Reserves.

Article By – J.Sanderson

67 thoughts on “Wilshere Praised By Wenger – More Kids Against Madrid

  • August 2, 2008 at 8:44 pm
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    what about coquelin

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  • August 2, 2008 at 8:45 pm
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    Coquelin is injured i think.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 8:46 pm
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    He picked up a slight knock, and was not risked. He could make the game if the boss wanted to pick him.

    I personally would love to see him get a run out.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 8:53 pm
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    If Arsene Wenger chooses to play a 16 year old kid against a big team like Juventus regardless of his nationality it shows who highly he rates him as a football player it just so happens that Jack Wilshere is English

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  • August 2, 2008 at 8:55 pm
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    what about van persie? i know he is not a youngster…but do you know where he is and why he did not feature?

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  • August 2, 2008 at 8:56 pm
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    so does this spell the end for jay simpson ?

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:00 pm
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    I hope Barazite and Merida get a game tomorrow even if they come on as subs.
    Eboue starting a game always brings a huge sigh from me….. don’t know why

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:01 pm
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    Jack Wilshere is 1 hell of a player and now i hope the media will notice that we have imo the best englishman at 16 years old and a player that will hopefully one day be the best in the world.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:03 pm
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    Le Patron has a real headache coming up to the WBA game. Who to leave out!!!

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:06 pm
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    two of my favourites club playing tommorow! :D Can’t wait will be a much opener game with more chances. Juventus played such passive and defensive football today. No wonder their stadium never gets sold out. I wonder how many changes Real Madrid will make as they played many of their stars today. By the way do you think CR7 would be good at Madrid?!!

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:11 pm
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    how the hall do i get my lil picture in the side >>>>
    of my comment

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:14 pm
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    CR7 = Cristiano Ronaldo

    And the picture on the side is a unique computer generated image given to you every time you leave a comment.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:16 pm
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    ok GC but I want my pic not some odd looking pic given to me.
    Like your’s GC

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:24 pm
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    Gibbs, Wilshere and Ramsey all did very well today.
    I assume RVP is fit. I have not read otherwise. I would think Ade and RVP would start up front with Theo on wing tomorrow. Could cesc play? I hope he might play at least 45 mins – its about time he got some game in his legs.
    Coquelin and Cesc would be interesting. Also Diaby and Cesc might be worth seeing a little bit of if its workable.
    I wonder also whether Toure might be ready for a half? Tomorrow will certainly be interesting, cant wait.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:27 pm
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    Wenger has already said Toure will be fit for the first game of the season and WON’T play in either the EC or AT.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:28 pm
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    I would suspect Robin is fit, but if not I’m sure Simpson or Barazite could come in and do an outstanding job.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:47 pm
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    i think wenger would play a way more experience team
    i think he’ll play
    almunia,
    sagna, gallas, senderos, clichy,
    walcott/sad to say but eboue, fabregas, diaby, nasri/traore,
    adebayor, van persie

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:48 pm
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    that is why he made them specific subs because he didnt want a burnout

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:50 pm
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    Contrarian opinion bound to get me some stick: Wilshere looks far from first team material. Very far. A lot has been said lately about ‘if you are good enough, you are old enough’ and comparisons to cole, rooney and messi have been talked over. And in two years of reserve team football and carling cup matches, I think it’ll be apt to compare him to these special players. But he’s not close now. At the moment he is a very intelligent 16 year old prospect who looks natural with the ball at his feet. Unfortunatly, that is so far from being what makes a great footballer. He’s nowhere near the development in terms of strength that he can’t be considered unless we were to play a team equivilant to ourselves every week where physicality isn’t a key aspect of the game. If the league consisted of us, Barcalona and Burgerland, then maybe he’d deserve a chance. And that’s the difference between him and Rooney. Rooney could play regularly at 16 because he was raised in an academy based around strength and ‘get up ’em’ football – having good technique on top of that just happened to be what pushed him to the fray.

    I can see why he is such a major draw for hype and for bloggers to write about. We all can. And we all believe that, except for horrible circumstances we don’t want to see happen, he will become a future star at Arsenal. But for now he’s just a 16 year old being allowed the privilege of playing with the first team. He wasn’t ready to face Juventus (although Ramsey, having spent half a year having to grace the Championship, did fit in a lot better) and if he doesn’t look right (yet) in a friendly game against the best, we should not seriously think about him playing professional games against those trained to outmuscle and demoralise him. Personally, unless there is a terrible injury crisis, I would not like to see him near the League team next season, especially when the likes of Merida, Coquelin, Ramsey and Traore are much further in their overall development. None of them are English though, so it doesn’t make good stories (this is not aimed at J, who obviously just cares about youth and talent development and not the passports held by the youths but sky sports and daily mail writing xenophobes.)

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  • August 2, 2008 at 9:56 pm
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    Team for tomorrow, imo:

    Fabianski
    Sagna Gallas Senderos Clichy
    Walcott Cesc/Randall Diaby Nasri
    Adebayor Vela/RVP/Bara

    I’m not sure RVP is fit. Some say he wasn’t on the bench today and after the match AW mentioned him in a batch of five players not with us so… it’s already started. :)

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  • August 2, 2008 at 10:02 pm
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    Samuel, were you watching a different game?
    Wilshire outshone Nedved,Ramsey, and Nasri; as for not being physically ready ? I did not see him shirk one challenge, he got heavy treatment but handled the physical side well and dusted him self down and got on with it.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 10:06 pm
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    wilshire is arsenals neo its like he lives in a matrix has quick vision. its like everything slows down for him when the balls at his feet

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  • August 2, 2008 at 10:14 pm
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    is the squad the same for 2days

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  • August 2, 2008 at 10:15 pm
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    Samuel, I’ve read a lot of your contributions and think you make some astute comments, but in this case I have to disagree. Before I start: I can only post once because I have to head off.

    I believe that 2 years of reserve football would be detrimental to Wilshere at this stage of his development. It’s been compared to touch rugby – usually tepid work-outs for coasting journeymen, or soft rehab for premiership players recovering from injury. When our reserves do come up against other youngsters, we usually trounce them.

    We’re one of the few sides that’s started using it as a tool for developing our talent. In his press conference yesterday, Wenger alluded to the very problem that we’re faced with Wilshere: Where do our promising lads go when they’re too good for reserves?

    He’s too young to go out on loan. So here’s my point:

    He can be used sparingly – as a substitute in games that we’re easily winning – but in my opinion he has to play top level football if he’s going to improve from here. He needs to get that experience because he’s clearly reaching his technical peak ata very young age.

    There are so many parallels with Fabregas that it’s uncanny. Physicality doesn’t even come into it if you can read the game like Jack can.

    Hope that’s not too disjointed – in a rush. Cheers.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 10:34 pm
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    J,S I remenber last year theres not 2 squads for 2 days , its just one squad for the 2days , i think were playing around with barazite , simpson done alright for me , and merida wow how can he be left out

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  • August 2, 2008 at 10:49 pm
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    Fran Merida is on holiday.He has trained and played through most of the summer.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 10:54 pm
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    Samuel, I was at the Emirates earlier with two friends who are not Arsenal fans – for them the stand out players were Wilshere and Gibbs. They were actually amazed when I told them how old Jack is.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 10:58 pm
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    this is how highly wenger thinks of jack he wasnt goin to Austria he was gonna play crawley. Wenger changed his mind sent round a car put him on private jet too meet up wiv squad then played him in every game since

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  • August 2, 2008 at 11:11 pm
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    j. i was thinking bout making ma own blog yeah about youth and first team and i was sort of wondering if you could give me some tips and if i could use the same background :) maybe help me in its development for a little while?

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  • August 2, 2008 at 11:12 pm
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    Jack Wilshere is a great talent, and i hope i get to see more of him during the season, i think that he will definatly play in the cc, and the FA cup, but wether he is going to play in the premiersip is still a question that only AW can answer.

    I personnaly would like to see him play more regularly as he is a joy to watch.

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  • August 2, 2008 at 11:26 pm
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    Dammit, missed most of the game coz sum drunk was talking to me throughout :@ Anywho, firstly, keep up with the good work J.S., awesome site! Secondly, U have any idea as to why Barazite N Merida didn’t play today especially since they 2 of the best players we have in the Reserves! Lastly, I’m sure you’ve heard the rumours on goal that RVP & Wenger ain’t on such greeat terms at the mo’ so a move to The Old Lady wouldn’t seem far fetched!!! Personally, I think RVP is the best player at the club (N 1 of the best strikers on the planet) N I’d weep for weeks on end if he were to leave!!!! I don’t know what to make of these rumours though especially coz from what I know, RVP LOVES Arsenal!!! Watchu think??????

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  • August 3, 2008 at 12:10 am
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    Why do people allways bring up Jack Wilsheres lack size because i have yet to see him get kicked about on the pitch and as for saying that he is not ready for first team football that is stupid because look at Francesc Fabregas he is not exactly Mr Olympia when it comes to his muscle size,sure starting him in the EPL would not be wise just jet but as an impact substitute with twenty minutes to go why not

    because technically he is ready it is just up to Arsene Wenger to pick and choose when he puts him in and it would not suprise me to see Jack Wilshere come of the bench at least 10 times this particular season IMO

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  • August 3, 2008 at 12:55 am
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    Fuckin Bloody Hell!
    WE are Paying the cunt 4,5 million Pounds per year for what?!
    to watch Kids?! and NO TROPHIES?!
    AND THE WORTHLESS CUNT FROM TOGO WHO CAN’T SHOOT OR CONTROL?!
    Fuck you Arsene, i’ve had enough!!
    Tell the Jew CUNTS who are at the board to give you FUCKIN MONEY M8!
    Or else we ARE REALLY FUCKED!
    This come from somebody who follows the Arsenal REALLY oner land and sea, from Greece to England and Milan and Madrid, so don’t you Fuckin TV WATCHING CUNTS say anything about my comments!
    i am FUCKIN PAYIN YOUR SORRY ASS ARSENE, and i want results!
    as you sorry bitches who live in Fuckin England and STILL WON;T GO WATCH THE ARSENAL LIVE,but still you have your pathetic Comments about Everything, i really feel Sorry for you…

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  • August 3, 2008 at 1:08 am
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    I think you will find that Cesc and RVP both start tomorrow against Real Madrid.

    Do you think Wenger was ever going to play our two most important players 2 days in a row?

    Having 7 on the bench verse 5 in previous years will prove to be more benifical to us more that any other team as the boss can add 1 or 2 of the younger players to the team and give them game time even if its 5, 10 or 15mins depending on the game.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 1:21 am
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    Samuel is right. Wilshere is far from ready to perform. And I reckon it’s ridiculous to say otherwise. At most he’s put in a few solid performances in a couple of friendly games against decent opposition, and sometimes, when a player makes a step up from playing with inferior teammates, things do become easier and they play with an artificial high as they’re surrounded by better players, players that can make space for them and put the ball in the right place.

    Big Al has some good points, but Wilshere is not Cesc- Wilshere isn’t a reader, he doesn’t map territory like Cesc does, he doesn’t see the pitch in terms of geometry and space the way Cesc does.

    Wilshere should go on loan- preferably abroad ~(heaven forbid for an English player) and then back here- this would develop his game no end. But please, this whole ‘great white hope’ thing… it’s misdirected. The message is clear from Wenger: “don’t reproach me for not playing English players”. This is what the fuss is about, about the debate around English players- its not a priorirty for Arsenal football club, nor should it be, and I was actually a bit disappointed in Wenger for choosing those words.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 1:27 am
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    … though I can understand why he chose them!

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  • August 3, 2008 at 1:37 am
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    Overall i was dissapointed by the display today. I didnt feel any one individual player let the side down, in fact they all (except Nasri, who dissapointed me but its early days and its not easy coming on as a sub in a game like that) played quite well. We just seemed to run out of ideas too easily as a unit and despite the crossing not coming to anything, thats all we kept doing. I wanted to see some of the midfield players working the ball outside the box and firing. But that hardly happened and thats why we hardly had a shot (credit to Juve’s centre backs who were both superb, Melberg was a great buy) on target and rarely had any clear cut goal scoring oppertunities.

    Wilshire impressed alot, hardly put a foot wrong and overall was one of the best players. Walcott was brilliant aswell, had one of his good days where he looked like a young messi (strange thing to say considering the real Messi isnt exactly old, far from it) instead of a fast, skillful but slightly naive youngster who makes problems for himself. Hopefully that kind of performance is what we come to expect from him on a regular basis next season.

    Eboue was rubbish again today, i cant work him out, every time he gets the ball he goes for the spectaular, running at multiple defenders or trying inch perfect through balls. Wenger needs to take him back to basics if hes ever guna be a quality winger.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 2:30 am
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    J where do you think Gibbs will end up playing? Wenger has deployed him at leftback a few times now, but it isn’t his natural position is it? He still looked very impressive though. Thoughts?

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  • August 3, 2008 at 2:31 am
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    johnny. Eboue is really good between the mid line and the edge of the box. In that area he can run past players and create some very dangerous situation. The problem is that after that he doesnt have a clue about what to do. Usually he slows down and runs into a defender, or tries an impossible pass and loses the ball.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 2:45 am
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    It is my opinion that Wilshere was wasted playing as a left winger. He is like Messi (although they’re different players) in that he prefers to cut inside from wide areas instead of going outside the fullback and crossing it in – although it has to be said that his crossing is fantastic for a 16 year old, when you consider that there are players older than him who have trouble getting consistent crosses into the box.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 6:48 am
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    wilshere is good, but we need to be patient. The boy looks composed, and determined. Before the match started, the juve first-11 entered, and he looked calm, and unfazed watching likes of buffon, trez, melberg, etc. I think he has a good chance to become a great player. Not sure if he would suit English national team, as they play more direct, and unsophisticated, they might play likes of Bentley, etc. After all this is the team that never helped hoddle, Le Tiss, or Scholes to fulfil their true potential, and help ‘em to greater things. Wilshire looks to be best at Wengerball, that’s a testament that he will be part of his plans (which seem to elude PEnnant, Bentley, etc)

    Ramsey looks ready, and he will cover Cesc along with Rosicky, but he could play in the wings or at RB as well. Nasri will play left, and Theo will play right. With Rosicky, Wilshere, Traore as other choices. RVP-Ade will be covered by Bendy-Vela. Dudu to return. Now comes the hard part, Kolo, Gallas, Sendy, Djorou, Song looks to be our CB choice for next season. I’m not sure yet. RB – Sagna, Eboue, Kolo, Djorou. LB – Clichy, Traore, Gallas, Gibbs. I think we’re okay there. But at CDM – Diaby (a big no, I think he should only play box to box CM), Denilson (not confident), Eboue (i think it would be either a revelation or a major flop, but I think Wenger would have analyzed that for sure, because it’s a risky position, and Eboue can’t lose his head), Song (looks class for Cameroon, and has a good fitness level to propser there, contrary to what Wenger thinks). The biggest problem with this position is the lack of confidence in fans, we clearly don’t see the current options prospering. Wenger will be taking a major gamble, so I think all the Arsenal fans here should put up a banner in front of training ground or in Emirates as “Sign a CDM Arsene, don’t gamble our hard earned money”. At GK, we lack confidence. But I think Fabianski will be good for future, and Almunia is an average GK who is looks okay for now. I don’t think Wenger would be hard pressed to buy another.

    And oh, I think Randall, Lansbury, Hoyte brothers should be lucky to make our CC team!

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  • August 3, 2008 at 8:34 am
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    Big Al said this on August 2, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    Ok, I like a lot of what you say. It is a very awkward problem and I guess Carling Cup games and the odd guest appearance might be more helpful. People calling for him to start ahead of Theo certainly isn’t, but they seem to have quieted down a bit. He’s still being compared to Messi though, how long do you think it is till he goes all Adebayor on us and asks for Messi wages?

    The thing about his physicality is: playing a friendly is a lot different to the cliched cold night up norf. Personally, watching the game, Wilshere looked very good in the while it took Juve to get into the game and then he disappeared because he isn’t experienced in how nto deal with great defenders. It will come with time, it did for those names he’s being compared to.

    Think of him compared to Cesc: Cesc had to join the first team regularly to replace Vieira. The only other option was Flamini and out of the two, Cesc was a lot closer to first team football. But for all his skill, we were so incredibly weak in the middle that teams rolled over us. Now, I love Cesc and realisticly, I wouldn’t have changed the past couple of years for a big signing we couldn’t afford but Cesc was partly played out of neccessity and at times we suffered because of it. I’m pretty certain all of us would have preferred Cesc slowly be blooded in with three time Serie A winner Vieira, he had the talent to be in there with Bert and Vieira, would have learnt from the best, and would have time to grow into the league (which really only happened this season.)

    With Wilshere, that’s the opportunity we should be looking at. Above him in the ranks at lm or acm we have traore, merida, rosicky, eduardo, vela, nasri, cesc, diaby and denilson. All of whom have played some sort of first team football in the past year and largely impressed and thus are more deserving of a first team place. I know the development of youth is extremely important, but making sure we play our strongest and most experienced teams is more. And unless we decide that our subs bench is going to be “5+2” i.e. the five experienced players we would have had plus two youngsters who, if we are running games, can get a chance – I would just prefer that Wilshere wasn’t included. I have tried being as patient as possible waiting for the team to get over the post-Grove slump and win some trophies, I would prefer the strongest 18 be available than to be discussing how much Wilshere carried on developing every week. I guess the 5+2 is the easiest way we can achieve both but I’d still feel better if he was kept to CC and reserve games. Cesc didn’t regularly crack the side until 17 I don’t think.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 8:38 am
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    Max said this on August 3, 2008 at 2:45 am

    All of our wingers have worked this way post-Overmars, cutting inside so the fullback has the whole reigns of the flanks.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 8:53 am
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    MAX- Wilshere is a winger full stop, his game is based around cutting in from the wing and threading a ball through the eye of a needle. If he is wasted out on the wing explain why he is playing so well?

    I think we should use him very sparingly in the Premier League, for at least a year. There are plenty of fat defenders that would love to make a name for themselves by repeatedly knocking him on his arse!!

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  • August 3, 2008 at 8:55 am
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    Haha according to El Mundo Deportivo we are preparing a bid for teenage sensation Bojan Krkic… funny how the papers really don’t know what our transferplans are.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 9:00 am
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    Haha according to El Mundo Deportivo we are preparing a bid for teenage sensation Bojan Krkic… funny how the papers really don’t know what our transferplans are.

    Mouhsin said this on August 3, 2008 at 8:55 am

    Moush: You know what though, you know it wouldn’t surprise any one of us if we tried tp swap Ade for him. And man, would I be so fucking happy if it happened, but he’s never leaving Barca, hell, it’s the family bloody trade (his dad is a coach).

    Wenger will never not try and get the best talent available. He may only rarely succeed (our first team would be 40+ and bankrupt if he did!) but I guess he’s noticed he’s got a bargaining tool in Ade. I really, really, really wish this was true. I know it’s not, but there are a lot more reallys where that came from.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 9:08 am
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    I don’t have anything to add to it, but the best argument is that he belongs to Barcelona and actually he should stay there till the end of his football career. Just like we want to keep our best talents untill the end of their career. Certain players just belong to a club, and Arsenal, especially know that, so this will never happen. The only chance of getting him is when he get’s unsettled, than we would be the first ones to ask for him…

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  • August 3, 2008 at 9:21 am
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    Yeah, I pretty much agree with that. It’s more a biased “certain players should belong to a club, unless we want him”. ;) The difference though, is the gentlemanly manner we’d go about acquiring a player and not coming out in the press rufflessly trying to turn their head.

    He is almost the second coming of Raul though isn’t he? Barca’s Raul. I’m gonna enjoy watching his career. Actually, that reminded me: how come Real can spend ridiculous amounts on Ronaldo and Galacticos and yet they only have a youth academy that’s only bought through Guti and Raul and a couple obscure squad players? With their ludicrous resources, they could easily put much more money into the academy and not worry about it (to only presumably reap the rewards + hg players sell tons of shirts). It’s the same with United. Why are they not held to the higher standard considering the development of players that the likes of Arsenal, Barcalona and the Italian four are?

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  • August 3, 2008 at 9:38 am
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    Every one forget Ramsey. I personaly admired Ramsey on the game with Juve. I think he will be in the first team sooner.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 9:47 am
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    does anyone else think we should use eboue and hoyte in a cash plus player deal to bring in a player like gareth barry the deal would benifit both clubs as both arsenal players are surplus to requirements and barry wants out of villa i think the deal would go as follows

    barry-10million+eboue+hoyte

    no matter how bad eboue and hoyte are in modern day transfers of overpricing they must be worth 8million together and 18 million is the asking price for barry.Gareth barry is a player that arsenal need to replace the departed flammini he is a good player and would also add to the number of engliah players at the club which we get stick for wrongly may i add also villa would be happy as they get money and get rid of a player that doesnt want to stay and finally it would piss of the scousers which is always goood.

    as this is a late post i will re-post it in the next article as few people are likly to read this.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 10:08 am
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    Samuel, I too can see what your saying. Wilshere is a remarkable player, but we shouldnt be expecting him to be our world class player this season. He will probably stay in the reserves with the odd call up to the fisrt team squad. We can only expect so much from a 16 year old, and as wenger said, we must respect his development. He will not be playing in the first team this season as a regular, as Wenger isnt the kind of person to put a 16 year old under the spotlight. If he makes his career go right to the top at 16, the only way is down, so let him develop and mature even more, and then Im sure wenger will consider him.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 10:08 am
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    Samuel – Real Madrid have a good youth system but they never had managers who were willing to give the youngsters a chance. Look at last season Getafe played some great football with the likes of Ruben De La Red and Esteban Granero. Javi Garcia did well at Osasuna. Yesterday you saw Daniel Parejo who is a real good prospect. The problem is that they don’t get a proper chance. Also first team and reserves team are far away from each other, they need to close the gap and make the step easier to motivate those players. With us when you do good in reserves the chances of you getting into the first team are far better. Real Madrid had a bad spell with Florentino Perez who focussed only on signing galactico’s every year and frankly didn’t give a dime about the youth system. But I think they are focussing on it more and more and I think in the coming years you will see some great players come through the youth. But I don’t know if they’ll get a chance at Real Madrid?!!

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  • August 3, 2008 at 10:27 am
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    It will be interesting to see how Wilshire is handled. Cesc apart, I don’t recall anyone since Liam Brady,showing as much instant ability & composure, at such a young age. I believe Liam was 17 when he broke into the team. I don’t think Arsene will be able to resist giving him the odd 10 minutes, especially if we need to turn a game. He looks physically strong enough & from what I have heard is a sensible lad, brought up as a Gooner.

    Gibbs, I thought, was a revelation. There were aspects of his game that reminded me of Clichy. I wonder if he should stay with the squad, while Troare goes on loan?

    It is easy getting carried away with these games. They are close to the real thing, with proper challenges going in, but not quite. I cannot take the result seriously with so many changes.

    They provide the means to build a team pattern & fitness. With that in mind I thought we did pretty well to dominate possession with basically a scratch side, against a major team. We didn’t create enough, from the possession, but we did restrict them to 1 clearly offside goal & a free header from a free kick.

    Overall a good exercise but it was what it was.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 10:46 am
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    Djourou should be ahead of senderos now he has had enough chances in the 1st team, Djourou should get more playing time now, he is quick and good in the air given time he can become gd player for us. Like look of diaby in DM, those two players can give the team more height which is needed. Would like to see Merida and Barazite and Traore in the game today, also RVP amazing player hope he stay fit please god!!!! Arsenal. well played Gibbs and Wilshire 16 star in the making.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 11:14 am
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    Even if we have 7 subs, they’ll probably consist of something along the lines of Senderos, Song, Theo, Bendtner, Diaby, Denilson and Vela. Other players included could be Djourou, Eboue (unfortunately), Eduardo (when he’s back), Traore, Ramsey, Fabianski and so on. That’s 13 players there who are all ahead of Wilshere. If we’re facing a team like Stoke and Wenger thinks it’s ok to play the second team (although he didn’t do that last season but he might rotate more this time) then you could see players like Gibbs, Merida, Randall, Lansbury (if they’re not on loan) and Wilshere on the bench.

    Eboue’s such a frustrating player, hopefully Bischoff is a much more dynamic player than him cos he likes to dribble into people way too much.

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  • August 3, 2008 at 12:08 pm
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    ppl forget something Jack wilshere is not a winger hes AN ACM or second striker hes a playmaker. In the youth team games he usualyy plays central with lansbury on the right. I have to say Ramsey looks class when he gets stronger and faster we have a player. the suprisingly thing about ramsey is that he is quite tall hes about 6ft 1 for a 17

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  • August 3, 2008 at 1:44 pm
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    i’m very sorry for the departure of hleb because it would leave a large vacuum in contrast to flamini we have denelson i’m sure that that he’s the most good player Yesterday we need more plyers like him

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  • August 3, 2008 at 4:02 pm
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    Gibbs = Cole .V2?

    A lot of similarities imo. He could become a strong left back, perhaps not for Arsenal, but another EPL side.

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  • August 4, 2008 at 11:10 am
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    JACK WILSHIRE HAS NOT GOT MUCH PACE HAS HE….THATS MY ONLY PROBLEM…
    I CAN SEE HIM BECOMING THE NEXT BENTLEY TO BE HONEST…ENDING UP LEAVING ARSENAL

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  • August 4, 2008 at 7:47 pm
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    Wenger has said this about the other kids:

    “There are some youngsters doing very well for us,” said the boss. “You’ve seen Jack Wilshere who is catching the eye at the moment. He is surprisingly mature for his age, you forget how old he is when you see him play. But there is also Jay Simpson, Mark Randall, Gavin Hoyte and Henri Lansbury who were with us out in Austria. All five of them are good players though, which is why I took them to Austria. All those players will make a career, and hopefully at Arsenal.”

    Good to see Jay Simpson in his thoughts. I think the lad could go on to do well given the chance…

    Reply

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