Just how good enough is good enough? At what point does a player become Arsenal quality? Who decides whether he is world class or just a squad player? And are these judgements set in stone, or can a player move from one state to another? These questions are prompted by two things, the first being a vague conversation I became involved in yesterday about Jack Wilshere, the second in light of the reaction to the possible re-signing of Carols Vela.
I am fascinated by Jack for a whole variety of reasons, and it is possibly easiest just to list them.
- He is only 22
- He has on occasions been hailed as England and Arsenal’s saviour
- He is capable of the most sublime football
- There is a touch of the street fighter about him
- He is a fans’ favourite
- He scored the best team goal that anyone will ever see
- Arsene Wenger has described him as one of the most talented young players he has ever worked with
- He has spent the last three seasons either injured or returning from injury
- He is no longer a favourite of all the fans and some don’t see him as an automatic starter either for The Arsenal, or, more strangely, for England
Not so long ago there would have been little debate about his quality, which would have been seen as top, top, or world class. He was our very own Superjack, and when much else in The Arsenal world was slightly rocky, that at least was certain. But now it would seem it isn’t, or at least it wasn’t to the person I was talking to yesterday, nor indeed to Stuart Pearce who pronounced that Jack wouldn’t kick a ball in the World Cup. I happen to think they are wrong, and maintain my belief that he is an outstanding talent, but the point of this post is not to argue his, or any other’s case (that can safely be left to Twitter and the comments section)but rather to explore what lies behind the judgments that are made about a player’s ability.
Clearly the proof of the pudding is in the playing, but often it is more than that, especially as only a very small number get to see players play for a full 90 minutes with their own eyes. For those that watch whole matches on the TV their view tends to be determined by the shots the cameramen choose to take, and by and large those shots follow the ball. If, say, a quarter of the value of a player to his team is what he does when he isn’t directly and immediately involved in the play, then it is clear that judgments are not based on the full story. Given that even more of those judgements are based on recorded highlights, and that those highlights rely heavily on editorial decision making, with all the bias that such selections inevitably entail, then we can see that most fans’ view of a player is already compromised. Throw into the mix the comments of pundits, who may or may not have an axe to grind (old allegiances run deep, and few past players are totally in love with their modern successors) and suddenly the claim that player X is not world class can be seen to be distorted.
The judgements become even more tainted of course when assessing the value of a transfer target, or when the player in question is being debated in the school yard (yes, I know school yards no longer exist, but what is a comment on football without an appropriate cliché), because then a kind of macho one-upmanship comes into play. Signing Vela is of absolutely no use to that kind of fan. He will not cost nearly enough money (anything under £25m these days is seen as a “Lol, poverty”), he does not come from a well-known club, he has already been dismissed as a failure once in his Arsenal lifetime, his YouTube videos are a little underwhelming, and perhaps most crucially of all, he isn’t talked about in reverential terms by those pundits who are persuaded to talk so glowingly by the agents they spend so much time with. If the dismissal of Vela can be accompanied with a sneering comment about Wenger dithering about in the bargain basement again then so much the better, especially if the twitterliverer of that comment can at the same time proclaim that only he properly understands just what players Arsenal need to even get top 4 again.
So Vela has no chance, and I suspect that a little like Giroud, even if he does come he will spend his life being criticised for what and who he is not , rather than celebrated for what he is and what he does offer. It apparently doesn’t matter that he has improved significantly, because whilst it is apparently fine to say that a player has regressed or hasn’t lived up to his potential, it is not allowed for anyone to improve. And it is that aspect that I find saddest of all, because I believe the biggest obstacle anyone can have to living their life successfully is to settle for a fixed and pessimistic mind-set. The whole basis of coaching is to help a player unlock his potential and find improvement, the whole point of training is to make progress from where you were yesterday. The best coaches dare to see the potential in players, the outstanding ones know how to help them unlock it. Choosing to adopt a growth mind-set is the most positive difference you can make to your life, whether you are a professional footballer, or gainfully employed in some other walk of life or simply waiting to leave school and to find a job that really suits you – or even, like me, just a student of the game.
If Vela returns he will be exciting, as will Balotelli (and the thought of him coming just makes me smile – I don’t think he will, but it would be kind of fun to see what happens if he does, and there is, in truth, only one manager on the planet who I would trust to get the best out of him).
Eighteen months ago, when Jack Wilshere was driving The Arsenal forward to a Third Round Cup victory over Swansea few would have imagined it was Aaron Ramsey who would make the most progress over the next year or so – but he did, and it was due to his courage and determination, but also to the unshakeable and visionary faith of his manager. I would not offer you any odds at all on Arsene Wenger helping Jack, or any of the others he chooses to sign, unleashing that potential too. And while this may well come back to haunt me, I do want to finish by saying that fitness permitting, I believe that Jack Wilshere will be as good a player as we have ever seen at The Emirates.
Today’s post was penned by @foreverheady
Positively Arsenal 
i have…its not working..lol… anyone got some heroin? joking…..
aaragghghgghghgh my god..can you imagine the chavs at the meirates singing “we got cesc fabregas” ….if we have any balls we push stewards and whatever barricades aside and beat them all and then burn them alive…fuck the fines/penalties form the f.a….
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I’m not happy even after a Mythos…..
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mom!!! mummy!!!! ice cream!!
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At least Dexter is back…..I’ve heard a lot about Dexter…..
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ok ..with humour..its the only way
when those cunts come to emirates and start singing “we got ……” right in our faces, we invade the pitch …all 60,000 of us…( what the stewards gonna do) and we beat them and kick them out the ground while the ones at the upper tire pour acid on them as theyre running..
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jack gets red in the first 10 seconds smashing his knee to pieces while flamini goes and punches mourinho and breaks his jaw
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Glad to see Dexter back on! Late night Arsenal blogging just isn’t the same. The way for Arsenal to deal with this best is to get the players in te positions we need to make us better and go and win the PL next season. Lots of work yet to do. I can bear to see Cesc in blue if e is feeling that way after we play them and at theend of the season. But without that salve, it will indeed be bitter. If we don’t need Cesc it should be because we have other great players who will do more for Arsenal than he would or did. Looking forward to Ozil creating many goals for Giroud, Theo, and our next great central striker next season, being te assist king as we win the league.
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Time may well tell that Wenger has not only sacrificed a pawn, but possibly waited until he knew it was a poisoned one. I bet he can’t quite believe how greedily the bait was taken. And if this is all it took to bring the AAA lot out of hiding then at least all and sundry know where they are now.
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please goonervida….. please…. we are suffering..dont judge us….
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Ha! Georgaki! And howdy Limey! Its been a while man.
It is incredible the fragile pysche of some Arsenal fans. Reacting like we’ve been relegated because the club didnt want to spend £30m on a player we have no room for, never mind the baggage and the past shenanigans.
Of course, now Wenger needs to spend £100m or he will be accused of penny pinching!
On the subject of signings, I would just love AW to go balls out for Javi martinez. THAT would be the dream signing for the holding midfield position. Plus he can easily play CB too.
Other than that, O really dont know who Wenger will opt for? Lukaku would be great, as would Cech! But I dont see Mourinho sanctioning that little lot.
Remy at £10m seems an easy one as he can play up top on his own and out wide, has pace and alot of skill.
Add a Mandzukic, a decent right back (for some reason I want Aurier, mainly because he loves Arsenal!) and an experienced goal keeper and we are set.
Vela would give us excellent depth too.
But yeah, Martinez should be the one we wait all summer for, he is worth it!
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http://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/1087/1151/original.jpg?w=600&h
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We need more power and pace than Fabregas can give us. We have Ozil, Santi and our young tyro’s. I just hate the fact he’s gone to Mourinho. I’m worried that Wenger has given hinself a problem. If he doesn’t sign some quality then it will be the Villa game x5 !
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Oh, how I want the shit to kick off in Brazil. Who knew the South American Spring would begin in Venezuela, huh?
Dex, Cesc is walking into their shitty team, not ours. Further, Mou is not going to give him the creative freedom he enjoyed at Barça or Arsenal. He’s going to plop Matic and Obi Mikel behind him and play Willian out wide just in case. This means you play Hazard a bit deeper than normal and he’s stuck passing it to Willian or Costa.
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Dex, Madzukic is no better than Giroud. In fact, Giroud is a much better player in the opposition penalty area than Mdzukic. For variety we’ll have Theo and Carlitos Vela in there. hopefully, Joel Campbell comes back and plays out wide.
Totally with you on Aurier. Him and Carl fighting it out for the RB position is going to make both of them become world class.
The only addition I’d make outside of Autier and Vela is Morgan Schneiderlin. To me, he’s a top, top DM. With Flamini and Mikel there to take turns, we’re more than equipped.
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Gains;
I am not sure either that Mandzujic is much better or even different to Giroud, but we need cover for that position. idealy it would be from a player who is a lot pacier and who can also play wide (Remy?). I would personally like Lukaku as he has loads of room to improve and is already at a decent standard, PL experienced etc. Schneiderlin would be a decent alternative to Martinez, not as sexy mind, but good nonetheless!
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The apoplectic responses to the tabloids suggesting AW wants Vela back was proof positive that the vast majority of those on social media are buffoons (no offence PG).
Here is a player that has better stats than Alexis Sancjez (a player I really rate BTW, we should also sign him too) and Pedro and the flavour de la monthe; Griezmann. Yet he ONLY costs £3.2m, so obviously that makes him shite.
Never mind the fact he is that price because of the canny shrewdness and forsight of the manager and club. Now if he was called Sanchez and was valued at £25m, those same ‘fans’ would be screaming at the club to sign him up!
I think vela would be an excellent addition, he is older, wiser, more experienced and BETTER than when he was at Arsenal. He can play all across the frontline and would get a decent run of games. Imagine if we had him while Theo, Ox amd/or Podolski were all out injured?
He would represent a top signing, not least because he will be fit and fresh for the start of the season and the CL qualifiers.
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Vela is a no brainier. Loic Remy I’m iffy on simply because Theo will eventually play through the middle. As far as Mandzukic, let Spurs buy him.
In the middle, forget Luiz Gustavo. After watching him tonight in a two man central midfield, no thanks. Dude is crap.
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great post FH, not only does the camera angle effect fans opinions but also commentators. if the old croc on the mic’ decides a tackle or pass is bad many will go with it without question. Its the same at the ground when supporters bay like sheep in there support or angst at a player.
As far as Jack goes, he is a natural player. However he is lad from round my way and I know his love to play has always walked the injury tightrope. He is better now but used to regularly play in games and kickabouts without ARSENAL’s permission. Stays fit and he will be the dogs bollocks and we will have yet another worldy on our hands.
Carlos too has so much raw talent and could easily turn into a Suarez if all planets align. He is very Edurdoesk scores goal for fun.
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Family! What’s up!?
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Went to watch England vs Honduras in Miami on Saturday. JW looked good. They boy needs to be the central player in that squad. He came on at half time and created when he had the ball, way more than Stevie G.
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Gustavo is a bit of a clogger. Perfect for the PL!
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I just saw that Cesc went to Chelsea. Surprising, but do we need him? Players were moved on to free him up, we don’t need him coming back to hinder the progress of our younger players.
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Dex, mi bredrin!
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Yes I Paul star!
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Brasil very firtunate to be drawing with, let alone beating Croatia.
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Gains
I just think that Remy has alot of atributes that would make him a very useful signing. He is pacy, skillful, versatile and a good finisher. We will be missing Theo for a few very important games and we seriously missed him last season.
We need cover at the very least.
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Fred conned the blow wow ref. I can fully see why the ref gave the pen.
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Croatian goalie seems a bit slow.
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Excellent post FH and I agree on both those players. AW is showing real belief in this squad and I agree that these 2 could be the next breakout stars after Ramsey.
Georgaki – I’m surprisingly calm about the CF situation as it has been coming so I’ve had time to prepare myself for it. I’ve seen the pic of him in the shirt so I’m over it now. It was a very brave call by AW, even though he has an emotional connection to the player unlike some of our supporters, he is able to put the needs of the club before his personal desires. I’m not sure that CF is the same player we remember at Arsenal and maureen is not the man to bring the best out in his game with his 18th century football. £200,000 a week in his back pocket should provide a good cushion for his arse on the chelski bench.
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Paul I went to watch Ecuador v England. Did you take the girls with you?
Did you see sideshow Bob fake tying Julio Cesar’s boots with ten seconds to go? What vile bastards.
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Well done FOREVERHEADY
I’m as excited about CARLITTO joining back with the GUNNERS. balatoli makes me nervous as he is not in control of his emotions most of the time and seems to hold himself in higher regard as his teammates. This could be costly. But he is super talented. Same can be said regarding JACK. I hope he gets his head straight over the summer and approach the coming campaign with a different attitude and drive. drive in my opinion we haven’t seen the best of him and I wish a little of AARONS mindset would rub-off on him. Someone tell the lad AW is his manager not paul
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Gains, it was just my wife and I. I did not know that so many Honduran people lived in South Florida. It was like at home match for them.
No, I didn’t see that, you know. He didn’t do too much either along with the other big names.
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“what i notice at the time was jack who wanted to become an arsenal legend, play the arsenal way and looked up to a certain cesc fabregas. pass the ball like him and have his kind of vision. he was on the rise until he was invited to play for england. he suddenly became the best talent to come out of england. he was likened to paul schole, gerrard and lampard. he then began to see himself as the messiah who will help england win the world cup.
he began to play the english way rather than arsenal way. then the tattoos. he now wanted to play for england more than arsenal, hence his role model became, beckam, gerrard and lampard.
now he plays for arsenal with the mentality of an english player. until he changes this mentality and begins to look up to players like ozil, cazorla and ramsey, he may not get to realise his potentials in an arsenal jersey.”
Comment of the day for me.
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Is Vela really coming home? And why the heck doesn’t he want to play for Mexico?
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gutted!!!
its clear wenger refuse the chance to take him back because we have ozil. not that ozil is better or worse but just that wenger doesnt want any unhealthy rivalry in the squad. trust arsenal fans, if wenger starts ozil ahead of him and ozil fails to perform, there will be intense pressure on both ozil and wenger. this can be very dangerous to the team spirit.
do we need him? yes, i think we do. can we do well without him? yes, i think so. will wenger still buy another attacking midfielder despite his failure to buy him? yes i think wenger will. but it will be a player who will come in as a back up to ozil and maybe ramsey. not one who will push ozil out of the first team either with fans pressure or performance.
will he do well at chelsea? i hope not. but i think he will unfortunately. especially if and when mourinhole is sacked.
NB he and him refer to the one that just signed for the enemy
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Brazil not good enough. Come on Ozil! Come on Messi!
Fuck Fabregas I want my About Diaby back!
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paul
vela stopped playing for mehiko because each time they play badly or fail to win, everybody blame him. so he did exactly what i want jack and other arsenal pplayers in england to do. withdraw from the national duty. let their favourite players play for them.
and since vela stopped playing for mational team, his career has blossomed, less injury and greater performance. and do i need to tell you that mexico national team has retrogressed ever since. now they want him back. their national team manager even went to spain to meet with him with a promise of an authomatic ticket to the world cup. but he turned them down.
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sav, this is world cup. dont rule out brazil yet. they are still among the four favourite to lift the cup. 3-1 victory on the opening day of the competition against a very good side like croatia is not a poor result.
neymar is a man for the big occasion. i love him.
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hulk should play from the right wing while paulinho should be on the bench. fred should sit or stand beside kaka in the croud.
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I see. Thanks Layksite. I was quite confused about it as you don’t normally see a player reject their country.
Our boys are going to continue to play, and I fully get it. My hope is that Hodgson will give them a good run and move on from the older players. I just don’t see Gerrard as the best player to pull the strings in the mid.
On a different note, the players need to work on close control, they just don’t seem skilled in tight spots, apart from JW.
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Brazil did get away with it today though. That 3-1 is flattering.
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Paul. the problem is that Jack continually run right into tight spots.
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Very disappointed cesc ended up at chelski. For him and for ARSENAL. its getting really painful watching these guys we cared for playing all over the place. It is what it is . 200000 per week. He has lost hope in building a legacy now with us and barka. Now he is going for the money. Sad really.
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I expected no less from Passenal….I feel much better now
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Haha. admiral DEXTER Poindexter in the house.
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Is that really his salary £200k per week?
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200000/ week GP. and there are those that make even more. I have to work two f•••••• years to earn that. And had to go to engineering school for six years. Competing with some amazing young men from the far east. On scholarship. That did nothing except study. Zero social life. All academic.
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“Carlos too has so much raw talent and could easily turn into a Suarez if all planets align. He is very Eduardoesk scores goal for fun.”
As long as it’s only the goal scoring side of Suarez that he emulates!
Judging by Arsene’s alleged response when asked about CF transfer to chelski i.e. didn’t want to talk about it and asked to be left alone, I don’t think he’s happy about it. But he has had to make a really tough call as we have more pressing needs elsewhere and unlike the financially doped clubs we cannot afford to spend money on luxuries while we are building a foundation. My admiration of him has just gone stratospheric because knowing how much he must despise that jumped up little toad at chelski, to have his ‘son’ stab him in the back by cosying up to his enemy must be sickening. However upset some supporters might be, imagine Arsene’s pain and re-direct your ire to the selfish git who instigated all of this with his actions 3 years ago.
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Just a reminder of the calibre of our current players to take away the bitter taste of betrayal
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True George. I only saw that once against Honduras all the same. He is still England’s best option in the middle of the park for me.
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