Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere has emerged as a January transfer target for West Ham United, but who would be the losers of such a deal?
Arsene Wenger
Poor Arsene Wenger. If this move happens what are we to make of the once great manager? Obviously Wilshere is nowhere near a jewel like Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil, yet losing him to West Ham may be even more painful.
Why? Because Wilshere is an Arsenal youth product. Arguably the first true product of Wenger’s era in charge of Arsenal to break through into the first-team. He was proof positive that if you coach youngsters the proper way, then even the English lads can come through and play superb technical football.
Wilshere finally leaving Arsenal for good to join West Ham would hurt Arsene Wenger immensely. Sure, Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock are looking to lead a crop of young talent coming through, but you never forget your first.
Manuel Lanzini
David Moyes is not the most expansive manager in the world. He has limited players with the kind of tactical freedom that Jack Wilshere requires. At West Ham that man is Manuel Lanzini.
Whether in a 4-2-3-1 or a 3-4-2-1, Lanzini and Wilshere would occupy the same space for West Ham. This puts the two of them into a Highlander-style situation, and it’d make Lanzini’s job that much harder as Wilshere is the kind of tenacious battler who, if fit, would always win out over the Argentine’s more improvisational talent.
Gareth Southgate
Seeing Jack Wilshere playing for Arsenal in the Europa League must have warmed Gareth Southgate’s heart. Here was a sublime injury-prone midfield talent, the likes of which England don’t have elsewhere, and he was going to be playing about once a week for a quality side, enabling him to arrive at the 2018 World Cup in good physical shape.
If Wilshere moves to West Ham, then forget about it. He’s now going to be thrust into the hurly burly of a relegation dogfight, where he’ll be surrounded by grafters as the only artisan. Moreover he’ll be playing every game he physically can, draining his body and leaving him a withered husk by the time Gareth Southgate needs him most this summer.
Arsenal fans
The Arsenal fanbase are tremendously passionate in their own unique way, both in real life and on social media. They stick by their men vociferously and then scorch them if they ever leave.
But that scorching reveals a genuine pain for them. Their comments about Robin Van Persie since he left betray a sense of anger at their own club, rather than the player himself.
Jack Wilshere has been a hero for Arsenal, the fans adore him and his skill. Alright he’s not quite Robin van Persie but he’s way ahead of the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain too.
Remember when Arsenal fans swore Wilshere would replace Cesc Fabregas with no problems? And that he was superior to Thiago Alcantara? They’re in deep with Wilshere, and if he goes to West Ham it won’t be pretty for them.
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