The performance of the Arsenal midfielder against Crystal Palace was a reminder of why he has inspired managerial leaps of faith in the past – and may do so again
Jack Wilshere was not short of admirers during Arsenal’s 3-2 victory at Selhurst Park. His first touch was a beautiful piece of velcro control as the ball dropped on to his left boot in the first minute, making everyone in the away end go weak at the knees, and the Arsenal midfielder even had a fan in the opposition’s technical area. It was Roy Hodgson, of course, who sent eyebrows rocketing skywards when he named Wilshere in England’s Euro 2016 squad.
Wilshere had only just returned from one of his many injuries, but that misguided show of faith from Hodgson was easier to understand after watching him help Arsenal recover from a sticky spell in the second half to take Palace apart. Like Arsène Wenger, Hodgson is a believer, even though the 25-year-old has not produced much of note since that wonderful performance against Pep Guardiola’s great Barcelona side.
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