Does Jack Wilshere’s form signal a new-beginning for his Arsenal career?

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As the final whilst blew at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening it signalled the end of a pulsating game of football, which ultimately saw the points shared between cross-city rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, yet it may also have marked a new beginning in the fragmented career of Jack Wilshere.

The midfielder was once considered to be one of the brightest young players in Europe when he burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old and was hailed as being the saviour of English football but some pundits in the media.

Now 26, the general consensus is that he has failed to fulfil his potential with a catalogue of injuries, poor form and fierce competition for places in Arsene Wenger’s team leading him to fall by the wayside somewhat in recent years.

Last season he was shipped out on loan to Bournemouth where he barely registered on anyone’s radar beyond the confines of the South Coast and the midfielder’s campaign ended early due to a fractured leg.

When Wilshere returned to Arsenal in the summer his long-term future looked bleak. He was facing another spell on the side line recovering from injury, had any potential route to the starting eleven blocked by a vast array of international talent and had less than a year remaining on his current contract.

Therefore credit should be given where it is due.

Wilshere made the decision to remain at the Emirates for the final year of his contract and backed himself to force his way into Wenger’s plans. It was a brave choice but his unwavering belief in his own ability has been rewarded in recent weeks.

The 26-year-old started the season among the reserves but received praise for his intermittent performances in the Europa League and Caraboa Cup. He appeared sharp, fit and fully focused – something that has been missing for some time. Injuries provided him with an opportunity to stake his claim for a starting role in the Premier League over the Christmas period and he has certainly grabbed his chance with both hands.

Wilshere has now started all of Arsenal’s last six league matches and his all-action performance against Chelsea on Wednesday evening was a definitive reminder of his talent. He was calm and composed in possession, distributing the ball around the pitch with a wide range of passing, whilst he was firm in the tackle when he was required to win the ball back.

The highlight of his performance was his goal just after the hour mark – his first striker for the Gunners since May 2015 – but his overall contribution to the cause was impressive.

Wenger may have a vast array of midfield talent to call upon, when fit, but Wilshere provides something different. He may not have the fancy tricks and flicks of some of his counterparts but his game retains a steely element to it and he is not afraid to do the dirty work and put in a tackle when required.

In effect, the 26-year-old is the perfect happy medium – an all-round midfielder that can effect a game at both ends of the pitch.

The challenge for Wilshere now is that he needs to retain his place in the team and ensure that he stays fit.

Too often we have seen him begin to show glimpses of his potential before breaking down with another injury. The pressure is further enhanced by the fact that he now has six months remaining before his contract expires, leaving little room for error as he undoubtedly works towards convincing Wenger that he is deserving of a new deal.

A fit Jack Wilshere is good news for Arsenal and also for England. Gareth Southgate has openly admitted that he is a big fan of the 26-year-old and there is currently no stand-out English central midfielder that possess the same ability as him.

There is a clear gap for the Arsenal star to exploit in the current England team in the lead-up to the World Cup in Russia and, when fully fit and on form, there is little doubt that he is one of the most talented players in the country.

It would appear to be that all parties, including the player, Wenger and Southgate, will be keeping their fingers crossed that he can stay fit and maintain the same high level of performance that he produced against Chelsea.