The Arsenal midfielder came under criticism from his own fans for cheering on Chelsea in the last round.
When Chelsea produced a stirring comeback to defeat Italian side Napoli 4-1 last month- their performance was praised by Arsenal midfielder and future captain in-waiting Jack Wilshere.
He had cheered on the Stamford Bridge club, arguing he was doing the patriotic thing by supporting the English club in Europe.
“I just jumped up when Lamps scored! I want Chelsea through! English and proud. Come on you blues.”
“Great result for Chelsea, flying the English flag high in this year’s Champions League! Shame we couldn’t join them! So close.”
His support split the Arsenal faithful, with some fans angry he was supporting a rival club, and others believing he is entitled to be patriotic and support the only English team left in the Champions League.
One Arsenal blog even ran a headline- ‘Jack Wilshere- Patriot or Idiot?’
The responses were interesting, with some fans saying they instantly unfollowed him, and that he deserved to have his internet access taken away(!)
Other perhaps more mature responses expressed a more ‘live and let be’ attitude.
The criticism also surely reached him personally, with some fans replying to him on Twitter that he should not be supporting the club’s rivals.
So it was interesting to see that when Chelsea beat Benfica last night to progress into the Champions League semi-finals, and Lampard scored again, there was no Tweeting from Wilshere.
A wise move in our eyes.
Instead, just some tweets about painting his young son’s room which would surely upset none of his fans.
If anything, Wilshere should really want Chelsea to lose. If Chelsea go onto win the Champions League, then the side who finishes fourth in the Premier League will drop down to the Europa next season.
Now with Arsenal 50-50 with Spurs for third, it would of course be hilarious for Wilshere if Tottenham finished fourth and lost out, but there is an equal chance that it should be Arsenal, so he should forget his partriotism for the semi-final and support Barcelona, however much he may not want to.
Were you upset by Wilshere supporting Chelsea last round?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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