Wilshere: Cheer up, the future’s bright

It might be all doom and gloom around the Emirates Stadium presently after another injury crisis, a lack of summer signings and an opening weekend defeat against Liverpool but Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere disagrees.

While the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have invested heavily in foreign imports, manager Arsene Wenger continues to turn to youth and Wilshere is impressed with what he has seen.

Defenders Rob Holding and Calum Chambers started against Liverpool, as did winger Alex Iwobi, while Wilshere has been impressed with Chris Willock and Jeff Reine-Adelaide during the summer tour of the US.

Arsenal fans may be clamouring for a multi-million pound acquisition but Wilshere insists the present crop of academy players – wide man Willock in particular – must be given their chance instead.

(David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“I’ve played with Chris (Willock) for a few years in training and last year he came on tour,” said Wilshere.

“I think he has improved, he has become stronger and he is one of those players that have a natural ability running with the ball.

“He can take contact well if someone smashes into him. He has got great balance and if Chris gets his chance I’m sure he will take it.

“One thing that strikes everyone [about Jeff Reine-Adelaide] is his confidence. Last year when he played in the Emirates Cup, he was only 17 years-old and he wasn’t afraid to get the ball down take players on and play.

“I think the year in the under-21s has really helped him and he is ready to make that step up.”

Wenger has also been impressed with 18-year-old Willock – a player he included in two FA Cup squads last year – and predicts the youngster is ready to take a step up.

“Chris is a very gifted player with natural strength and natural talent,” Wenger said.

“He has what you do not find very easily.

“He can have a go at people, can get past people in one on ones. We forget sometimes that the basis of team sport is to first be strong one against one and Chris has that quality.

“I believe that he has the needed character when he has his back to the wall to always respond in a very strong way. That’s a very important quality, to be able to play under pressure.

“Overall I would be very comfortable to play him now but of course there is a lot of competition for places because there are players like Walcott, Alexis and Welbeck in front of him at the moment.

“If I had to play him then I would have no fear in doing so. Next season I think he will be a player who will get to feature in the team.”