Arsenal: Why Jack Wilshere's Return is a Blessing
Jack Wilshere's return from injury can only turn out positive for the Gunners, as they set to enter a crucial stage of their campaign. The loss to Norwich has heated matters up at the Emirates as Wenger looks for a steady rhythm in performance. After more than a year of inaction, the talented midfielder makes his long-awaited comeback. I think the team is hungry and knows that there is no room for complacency and no reason why we should be complacent. were Wengers words to Norwich Evenining News. Even if the loss to Norwich that followed came as a shock, Arsenal seemed to be responsible for the own demise with a lacklustre display at Carrow Road. The recent injury list at the Emirates has been limiting Wengers options, with Theo Walcott, Szczesny, Fabianski, Sagna and Rosicky, all kept out of action. Wilshere however, seems ready for the long run, but with Cazorla, Arteta and Gervinho in form, the young midfielder is also looking likely to face some competition in the midfield department. Arsène Wengers experience in dealing with injuries made the tactician wise enough to not rush his young midfielder, and speaking to ESPN, Wenger is believed to have said: "Jack is 80% match fit now and maybe needs one more game before he is back. There is no apprehension for him in challenges. Maybe he will play for the Under-21s on Monday night and then we can look at it. The same is true for Bacary Sagna." Wilsheres injury was a stress fracture that gradually deteriorated, and his mental state is not believed to be of any concern, as his manager explained according to the Evening Standard: Jack has none of that. He has not been injured in a specific tackle. He had a stress fracture that came slowly, so he has no memory in the game of having been kicked by anybody or injured by anybody." Arsenals next fixture pits them against Manchester United in an away game at Old Trafford, where both teams know the points will be hard earned. The North London outfits youngest ever representative in the league and Europe, Wilshere, might be given a chance to impress in a fixture where expectations will be high. And, judging by the Gunners mediocre position in the table and their recent loss to Norwich, further slips would likely only spell disaster at the Emirates - making the next encounter one worth spilling blood for. While the news of Wilshere being back in action has echoed throughout the valley of football, Wenger has stressed that England fans should not expect too much from the midfielder. The Frenchman criticised Hodgsons lack of options in midfield to be the root of the rising hype and pressure surrounding Wilsheres return. ESPN reported Wenger saying: "The fate of the country is never to be based round to one player. You need to have many good players and if you have to wait until one player comes back that means something is wrong. If Spain are world champion and European champion, it's because they have so many options - if Cazorla is not fit, Fabregas plays; if Fabregas is not fit, Iniesta plays. Wilshere being back in shape is most probably great news for football, and his performance in a constantly evolving arena looks likely to be worth keeping an eye on. England's game agaist Sweden next month could also have Hodgson relying on the Arsenal midfielder's services, adding to the list of no-nonsense fixtures for Wilshere. Will Wilshere live up to all the expectations? Can he carry the load on his shoulders? Have your say below!