Jack Wilshere put pen to paper today to a sign a new contract that ensures his future is with Arsenal.
It is absolutely fantastic news. His success has been the story of the season and his quality, enthusiasm and will to learn will make him a great player for both Arsenal and England for years to come.
At just 18 years old it is arguable that his form for the club has established him, along with captain Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song, as part of our first-choice midfield. With competition coming from the likes of Denilson, Samir Nasri, Abou Diaby and Aaron Ramsey, this is no mean feat.
Yet despite his surprising impact on the first team this season, Wilshere’s head remains in the right place, his feet firmly on the ground.
“Arsenal Football Club has been like a second home for me and my family since I was nine years old. To be offered a new contract means everything to me. At this point in my career, when I’m only 18 years old and still learning so much about the game and myself, this is the perfect club, the perfect team-mates, the perfect fans, the perfect backroom staff and most importantly, the perfect manager to help continue that.
“I’ve got a long way to go before I can become the player I dream of becoming and I’m sure I’ll keep making the odd mistake, but it is a massive help for me having a special manager like Arsène Wenger and so many quality team-mates and the unbelievable Arsenal fans around me. I believe there is a lot more to come from me.
I’ve been at the Club for almost ten years already, so I would like to thank everyone that has been part of getting me this far, especially people like Liam Brady, Roy Massey and all his staff at the Hale End Academy. Also Neil Banfield, Steve Bould, Academy Coach Steve Leonard, Academy Scout Bob Arber, Assistant Head of Youth Development David Court, all the backroom staff, Arsène Wenger, all my team-mates and, of course, my family.”
Although his speech sounds like something you would hear at an Academy Awards, and he probably got some help from his mum or dad to write it (ha!), it reveals a very special character. The media might be trying to paint him as some sort of clogger after his dodgy tackle against Birmingham but it’s clear that Wilshere has the right mentality to make it as a top-level footballer: he is respectful, determined and like most Arsenal players, sincerely grateful for the opportunity he has to play football for a living.
He’s right too: Arsenal is the perfect club for him. We play the type of football that will get the most out of his game and allow him the time and space to develop. He is perfectly suited to our pass-and-move game and his real quality is in combining his technical ability with the more English traits of grittiness and a never-say-die attitude.
While there is still the small matter of securing Cesc Fabregas’ future at the club (as well as the “stalling” Wojciech Szczesny) Wilshere’s signing is a piece of fantastic, if expected, news.
In a brief round-up of the other Arsenal news floating around the blogosphere the manager has stated that Aaron Ramsey’s return is still a month or so away. Meanwhile Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott are expected to start in tomorrow night’s Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk, with captain Fabregas set to miss the tie through injury.
More on that tomorrow.
Thoughts?
Have yours say on Jack Wilshere’s contract by leaving a comment.
Great Post Dude! This is why all clubs in england are jealous of us! We dont have to spend stupendous amounts of money to get a quality player. How many teams can say that 8 of 11 starting are academy players.
In you face soccernet presspass!
Anyway my preferred starting XI(we qualified already)
Fabianksi
Eboue Djiorou Kochienly Clichy
Eastmond
Diaby Rosicky
Walcott Prefer(nasri)/Vela
Bendtner
Excellent news. Couldn’t have come at a better time. Just perfect. All the rest including capt. FABs should follow suit or they’ll all loose out.
Haha, Gooner Bear and Gunner Boss. You guys should be best friends!
Thanks for the comments!
Exciting developments at the Emirates once again. Now we expect to hear more of the same regarding Szczesny. GoonerBear u rite on the line up. More game time for the others and yet our ‘b’ line up has changed significantly from last season. We have a bench that can easily be our first team. Cant wait to see Ramsey kick the ball. Things are all in place for Arsenal to turn the corner this season. Whenever, Forever, Arsenal. Since 1886
Thanks Andrew for the post.
@ Tsoko – No problem mate. Happy to do it, as always.
Finally I can buy an away shirt with Wilshere’s name. What’s up with Wozzy though, he is displaying arrogance by trying to threaten the club into putting him as number 1 or else he will leave. He only had 1 good carling cup game, he has talent but not there yet, its the supporters thats been overhyping him and its been feeding his ego.
I hope Wozzy wise up, although Fab & Alm is the disaster brothers, at least they had some humility. Better not be another Bentley or Diarra.
A key is able to close some doors, and open others – the outcome depends upon the direction that it is turned. There are many elements of life that would provide happiness if locked, and others that provide happiness if they are opened. However, discriminating between what one must remove what one needs to unlock is often clouded by one’s desires and the power and influence of the mind. Thus, man frequently makes decisions and takes actions that provide ultimate misery.
@ laninja – Wojciech isn’t being arrogant, not at all. It’s clear he wants assurances that he will be at least No 2 beyond this season, that’s all. If you hear him talk you will not hear a person with a big ego: you will hear a young man who perfectly understands his ability and his weaknesses and (quite rightly, it seems) expects to be rewarded for it. His humility is without question – it’s just that he thinks big and wants to achieve a lot, which I think should be commended.
How long did he sign a new deal for??
and fucking awesome news! 😀
@ Lee He signed for 5 years.
@ Laninja I hope Wojciech gets a proper deal, too. He’s not arrogant, just you should keep reading the news. I know it’s difficult to be up to date, but then there’s no misunderstanding.
@ Andrew It’s a good news indeed, but I’m a bit worried about the injury of Fabregas and Song.
I have been discussing atmosphere at Emirates with Terence and some others but wish to bring this up so all can see. One innovative way of making sure people follow the songs is for some one to get behind the computer during the games and scroll the live song on the score boards for people to join. Note that live games are not shown in the stadium during matches so this can be done, what a carnival it will be?! In fact, in a CL match recently I noticed some fans, yes from Turkey, who turned their backs to the game and holding each other they were bouncing up and down and singing their hearts out! Really we can be innovative and make the Emirates a freight place for the opposing fans.
@ GunnerBoss I read your former comment (at the ratings) and I don’t understand your reaction. You can find my answer there.
Completely unrelated – sorry! Watched a bit of Gareth Bale ripping Inter to shreds this morning. If he plays like that against us we are in for a tough game in a few weeks. Surely Wenger will play Walcott on the right to try to negate his pace. As an Arsenal fan with welsh blood in me I can’t help having mixed feelings. I’d like to see a straight out race between Bale and Theo! Preferably not towards our goal though.
@ Terry walcott & sagha can handle bale & riccotta whats his name,I think its at home the only choice arsene has is eboue . their are a lot of incounters worth notice gallas & chamakh.
Dont you worry about a s spud (Gareth Bale).. You do realize that in Italy they dont play with much pace, hence why Bale was having a walk in the park.. however in the premiership everyone has pace to cover, and they do it week in, week out.. so his pace is good but not frightening in the premiership..Right now, Arsenal is not worried about their opponents..We only worry about ourselves, our game plan, and avoiding injuries…. RVP is fit again, Vermaleen comming along.. so Tottenham is my last worry my friend! Only us will be responsible for our own demise, not Tottenham!
@Guys – This game was very unimportant. Were sure of winning the next home game and the away game against Braga can be done if were field a strong side.
Clichy laid the pass that gave Song our winning goal which kept up our title challenge hopes alive.
Are we sure we dont hate all the players? Some key players were missing for goodness sakes and this was a very very unimportant away match.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. kudos