Arsenal: Should Jack Wilshere Be Loaned Out?

Cesc Fabregas has pledged his commitment to Arsenal for this season and it is time for Arsenal to look to groom his replacement when he does leave for Barcelona in the future. Arsenal have been blessed with a number of talented, young midfielders who have the calibre to emulate his success in the future.

One among those most promising, young, and talented Arsenal midfielders is Jack Wilshere. He has already been touted as England's saviour and is sure to be burdened by a lot of expectations when he plays in the Premier League.

Wilshere is exquisitely talented, technically adept, has great vision, and will be expected to make an impression with this Arsenal side. However, he is young and not very experienced and he will be competing for a first team place with more experienced and talented midfielders.

The big debate is whether Arsene Wenger, Arsenal's manager, should let him stay at Arsenal fighting for a first team spot or leave for a lower club on loan in order to gain some first team experience.

Will Wilshere get enough playing time at Arsenal?

It is still unclear as to which formation Wenger will employ for this season. He has used both the 4-3-3 and the 4-4-2 in the past and can utilise any of the formations for Arsenal as per the needs of the team.

Wilshere can play both as a central midfielder and on the wings. But whatever the formation might be, Arsenal have got quality first team players who have occupied it so far. Wilshere is surely not assured of a starting place in the team and could be used as a creative impact substitute, just like Cesc Fabregas was utilised in the Spain team.

Even though he might make an impression, there is still no guarantee that he will be in the starting XI. Moreover, he is a petite midfielder who is not physically strong in his approach, and this might be an issue when they play teams like Stoke City who will try to kick Arsenal out of the park.

Scenario 1: Central Midfielder

Let’s take the case where he is employed as a central midfielder and analyse his chances of breaking into the team, playing in this position.

In a 4-3-3 formation, Cesc Fabregas plays pretty high up on the pitch and is a goal-scoring threat from that position that he does play in. Alex Song is the club's best defensive midfielder who can shield the defence, but against stronger teams like Manchester United and Chelsea, he will need support from other midfielders and Wilshere is not the best when it comes to playing alongside Song in a 4-2-1-3 style that Arsenal do play in reality.

Song and Fabregas are assured of their places, when fit, so that leaves only one slot available and Denilson, Diaby, and Ramsey (who is injured at present) are his chief competitors. Both Denilson and Diaby have got a better probability of attaining that third midfielder slot.

In a 4-4-2, it is an open and shut case, with only Fabregas and Song occupying the slots in this formation, which could have similarities with the diamond formation. So, Wilshere can only play as a backup for these midfielders and cannot start on a regular basis.

In the case that Fabregas is injured, it is probable that Wenger might go with Samir Nasri or Tomas Rosicky to play the role of an attacking midfielder. But there is a possibility that Wilshere might also be called to play in that role.

Scenario 2: Winger 

Wilshere can also play as a winger and has excelled in that position in the past. During his recently concluded loan spell with Bolton Wanderers, he was used as a winger in a lot of games.

Wilshere with his creativity can split open any defense with his incisive passes and also can beat his man utilizing his skill. He can also cross the ball pretty well which will be useful considering that Arsenal will have Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner, who have good aerial ability, in their squad.

But does he really stand a chance to start games (on a regular basis) as a winger in this Arsenal lineup? Arsenal have got some quality wingers in their lineup and Wilshere will find very tough competition from his teammates.

In a 4-3-3 formation, one would expect Andrei Arshavin to start in one of those two positions, which leaves one position up for grabs with Walcott, Rosicky, Nasri, and Wilshere all vying for it. Also any one of three strikers, Van Persie, Bendtner, and Chamakh, can play in this position.

Nasri was impressive last season and if he is not playing in the centre, then he will be the favourite to occupy the other wing. Wenger has a lot of faith in the talented Walcott and the experienced, but injury-prone, Rosicky. Wilshere will get playing time in this position only if more than one of the lot is injured.

The scenario does not change much even if a 4-4-2 formation is chosen. Wilshere is not a striker and that leaves only the option of playing on the wings, if he is not playing as one of the two central midfielders.  

In any case, Wilshere will have face a lot of competition within this Arsenal side and is not assured of having a lot of playing time in the Premier League and in the Champions League. He will get his chances in the F.A Cup and the Carling Cup but a player of his calibre should be playing regularly in the elite competitions.

How will a Loan Deal benefit Wilshere?

Wilshere will most probably stay for the first half of the season, but he is still sought after by Bolton Wanderers, who are looking for a loan deal. Even though he will not play in Arsenal colours, if he does go out on loan, the loan spell can be beneficial to him in the future.

His loan spell with Bolton Wanderers has surely made him tougher and he has experienced the physical side of the game. Besides, he has surely become a better player by playing regularly in the Premiership and gaining invaluable experience. He knows now what it takes to succeed in the Premier League.

He was a starter for Bolton Wanderers and under Owen Coyle, he has matured a lot and is ready to do the hard work that is required. Moreover, it has increased his confidence levels and his desire to play regularly for a quality side like Arsenal.

If he does not play regularly for Arsenal, then it could damage his spirits to some extent and he might lose his confidence, even though his talent and quality is undeniable. Moreover, he could also be targeted by physical teams because of his physique and the fact that many teams like to show their physical strength against Arsenal.

There is no doubt that Arsenal should thank Owen Coyle for showing his faith in the youngster and refining the lad's skills. Coyle has recognised Wilshere's ability and is reportedly asking Wenger to let Wilshere join him but it is unlikely that Wilshere will leave Arsenal, again, on loan. 

There is no doubt that Wilshere will develop as a better player, but it is also important that Wilshere plays a lot with the first team and blends seamlessly with the Arsenal style of playing.

How will Wenger look to utilize Wilshere?  

Wenger is a manager who bloods in youngsters by giving them opportunities in the first team to blend with the current crop of players. It can be expected that Wilshere will be given opportunities to impress the manager and cement a place in the first team.

Due to the injury to Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal are currently a little short of attacking midfielders with only Rosicky and Nasri who can fill Fabregas' role. It can be expected that Wilshere will stay until Ramsey completely recovers from the injury.

This season presents Wilshere with a golden opportunity to establish his credentials as a world class player. He will be in the spotlight, more so now because he has already been considered for a place in the England team and been outlined as one of the best players in the next generation.

Owen Coyle will be thanked by Arsenal for his involvement in developing the youngster but is unlikely to be given the opportunity to extend Wilshere's loan deal. He had an impressive spell with Bolton Wanderers and there is no reason why he will not replicate that form in an Arsenal shirt.

Arsene Wenger will utilise the young midfielder's services for this season, which gives him a creative option in the midfield alongside Cesc Fabregas and can fill the void left by Aaron Ramsey's injury. 

Wilshere may also be used as an impact substitute if he does not break into the starting eleven. It is up to the player, himself, to be confident of his talent and to produce his best when called upon by the boss.