Arsene Wenger's got one thing right, Jack Wilshere needs a rest

11 April 2012

On the day where several thousand runners felt the ultimate pain of an endurance race in the capital, it seemed appropriate that Arsenal continued their feeble limp towards the finishing line in the Premier League.

Arsenal did their bit for charity but it was Manchester United who benefited from their act of kindness. Those dressed in red and white hobbled away from Emirates Stadium as the despondency of another two dropped points hit home.

Later the mood was lifted somewhat by the news that one Arsenal star had got his hands on a trophy at last. Jack Wilshere was rightfully rewarded for his efforts this season with the PFA Young Player of the Year award, however one suspects he would like to remember 2011 more for winning silverware with his club.

He admitted as much in his acceptance speech by saying: "I am delighted just to be in the team to win an award, so I have to keep it up now and hopefully we can win something this year."

In many ways the 19-year-old has been leading from the front for most of Arsenal's campaign with his craft and guile in midfield arguably providing more inspiration on a consistent basis than even captain Cesc Fabregas.

That is why his peers chose to acknowledge him, yet like the side as whole, there is a suspicion that Wilshere is beginning to feel the pace. He shouldn't be chastised for it. Just like anyone running the marathon for the first time, enthusiasm can get you so far before the extent of the challenge becomes a reality.

It is not as if he played badly yesterday, only that his subdued performance was in stark contrast to his greatest display for Arsenal against Barcelona just months ago.

When Arsenal beat the Catalans in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie, he was buzzing around the midfield, standing toe-to-toe with the mighty Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

As Arsenal huffed and puffed against a wall of typical Liverpool defiance, Wilshere was guilty of several misplaced passes, which was only shocking because it's been so unusual this term.

Indeed, Arsenal have now drawn their last three home Premier League games and Wilshere hasn't been able to match those high standards he set when facing the cream of European football. Boss Arsene Wenger must have seen it, too, because he substituted the midfielder for the first time since January and he could have little complaint.

The Frenchman has often been guilty of failing to admit he got things wrong even when evidence points to the contrary. The penalty incident involving Emmanuel Eboue and Lucas is a prime example, but he looks like being proven right over Wilshere. Wenger is locked in a propaganda war with the Football Association over Wilshere's availability for England in the summer. He wants to protect the youngster from burn-out and this minor decline may help his case.

The Frenchman doesn't want Wilshere to appear for the England Under-21s in the European Championships in June and one can certainly sympathise with him if his prodigy is already feeling the strain.

His progression into the full national team, having impressed in games against Denmark, Wales and Ghana in the second half of the season, has already increased his workload as well as his status.

What is at the forefront of Wenger's mind with just six League games to go in the title race is trying to get one last surge of form from his side and Wilshere is key to that. The most worrying aspect about the Liverpool contest was the few occasions Arsenal actually passed their way in behind the opposition defence.

It doesn't help that Fabregas appears a shadow of his former self and the fact he left the ground soon after the final whistle to get further treatment on his troublesome hamstring injury, which he first sustained against Stoke in February, says it all.

That puts much of the onus on Wilshere to raise his game once again, although one suspects the honour he received last night will give him a boost to make one last kick for home. "It is my first full season and it is a massive award, especially from my fellow players," he said. "It is amazing.

"Arsenal is a good club for bringing youngsters through and they keep proving it so I would like to thank the manager as well."

There is no better way to do that than by helping Arsenal get back to winning ways again, starting with Tottenham on Wednesday.

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