19. Jack Wilshere

Skilful, strong, inventive and versatile, Jack is one of the most exciting young talents in the English game.

He joined Arsenal in 2001 as a nine-year-old and has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the Club’s ranks ever since. By 16 he had made his Reserve team debut and was soon part of Arsène Wenger’s first-team squad.

Jack became Arsenal’s youngest ever League player when he came on as a substitute in a 4-0 victory at Blackburn in September 2008. He was just 16 years 256 days at the time.

The teenager opened his account for the Club 10 days later with a low drive in the Carling Cup win over Sheffield United and he went on to make six first-team appearances in total last season, making his mark in the Champions League and FA Cup too.

Jack celebrated his 17th birthday on New Year’s Day by signing professional terms with Arsenal and he finished the season in style, helping the Club lift the FA Youth Cup for the first time in eight years.

Jack was a vital cog in that Under-18 machine but, on the evidence of pre-season, he can expect to be playing at a higher level this term. Two classy displays in the Emirates Cup – including two goals against Rangers – earned Jack consecutive man-of-the-match awards and his first call-up to the England Under-21 squad.

Now he will look to force his way into the Arsenal first team on a regular basis. Without doubt, Jack has the ability to be a major player at Emirates Stadium for years to come.

 

MY YEAR

January

Jack started the first game of the month, a 2-1 FA Cup victory over West Ham United. However the Englishman didn’t feature again for Arsenal in January after picking up a hamstring injury. At the end of the month Jack joined Bolton Wanderers on loan for the rest of the season.

December

Jack played twice for Arsenal in December and was heavily linked with a loan move to Burnley after Arsène Wenger revealed he had spoken to Owen Coyle about a short-term switch when Arsenal met the Clarets at Turf Moor. "I would prefer [a loan move to be] in the Premier League," said Wenger. "But a top-level Championship club would be interesting as well."

November

After being sidelined for much of November with an ankle injury, Jack returned from injury in the Reserves' 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa. The midfielder told Arsenal.com that he believes the Gunners can win the Carling Cup this season. Looking ahead to the Manchester City clash in December, he said, "I think now we are into the last eight it is realistic for us to win the trophy. I think we can beat City and if we do then the competition will be wide open. We can go all the way."

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