It looks like Wilshere's career is going to end with a whimper and it's immensely sad
Today was the first time I've heard Jack Wilshere speak about Arsenal probably since the day he left. At least I can't remember him saying much of note in almost two years.
He talked about how the decision to move to West Ham didn't really work out for him and quoted a number: 16. In almost two seasons Jacky made 16 appearances for a relegation-struggling side.
Naturally I'm not questioning his talent here, just his fitness. I went onto Transfermarkt to check how long he represented Arsenal for and how many appearances he's made.
198 games in 10 seasons across all competitions. Which isn't too bad at first glance, as it's roughly 20 per season, right? Easy maths.
Jack's average drops to 11-12 games each campaign if you look at league matches only and this is where it gets truly shocking. One third of all available games at best.
It's hard to put a finger on it of course but it looks like an ankle break which made Wilsh miss the entire 11/12 season was the starting point for his troubles, one he never truly recovered from.
It might not be, seeing as he notched in 12/13 and 13/14 seasons. What we know is that it all went downhill from there and even his latter seasons at Arsenal and his loan to Bournemouth didn't signal a full recovery.
Now Jack is 28. It's hard to think of him as a footballer closer to the twilight of his career than its dawn yet here we are. Super Jacky looked a broken man as he spoke about the need to stay fit and play regularly. For goddamn West Ham United. It made me want to cry, which I very nearly did.
At this point it doesn't look like Jack will have even a 10% of the career he threatened to have when he single-handedly bossed a prime Barcelona midfield. And, words just aren't enough to describe the injustice of it all, the resentment towards Jacky's glass ankle and the distinct feeling of what could have been.
Comments
He had so much potential...
Damn, injuries really ruined him. I remember being convinced he'd be England's Next Big Thing. Hurts to see him losing control of his own body 😞
Wilshere sad