Arter: Wilshere a key cog for Bournemouth

Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter believes Jack Wilshere has established himself as a key player for the Cherries this season citing his injury as a factor which helped decide Monday’s clash with Manchester City.

Bournemouth were competitive against City but Wilshere limped off before half-time during the Cherries’ 2-0 defeat.

Wilshere, 25, has been unlucky with injuries in the past and the on-loan midfielder now faces an agonising wait to discover his scan results.

Arter pointed to the significance of losing Wilshere and believes his fitness will be crucial going forward as Bournemouth try to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap.

(Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

“I felt we were getting into the game but then we have Franno (Simon Francis) and then Jack going off and it is hard as you have to reshuffle.” said Arter.

“We had quality coming on for them but we prepared a game plan with those players in place all week, not just a day or two before but all week.

“Jack’s quality is key and Franno’s the captain, so it was hard for us to gain our rhythm again. I thought we did at the start of the second half and on another day we could have caused them more problems.”

Wilshere has impressed at Bournemouth, making 22 Premier League appearances so far this season on-loan from the Gunners.