Rio Ferdinand: 25-year-old has potential to become Arsenal’s ‘main man’
The Man United legend believes Jack Wilshere's got the ability to become Arsenal's key man if he can stay fit
Rio Ferdinand believes Jack Wilshere has the potential to be Arsenal’s main man but the midfielder needs to prove he can stay fit.
The Gunners star made his first Premier League start on Wednesday night in Arsenal’s goalless draw with bitter rivals West Ham United at Upton Park.
Wilshere spent the 2016-17 season on loan at Bournemouth and made two assists in 25 appearances in the Premier League before a fresh injury setback in April.
The 25-year-old opted to remain at the north London club to fight for his place in the Arsenal team under Arsene Wenger this season.
Wilshere has made one goal and has made one assist in six appearances in the Europa League to earn praise from some former professionals.
Indeed, there has even been talk of Wilshere securing a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for next summer’s World Cup in Russia.
However, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand wants to see Wilshere secure a sustained run of games in the Arsenal starting line-up.
“I still see Jack Wilshere as potential, because he’s never sustained an amount of time in the first team to say he is the main man at Arsenal. He hasn’t stayed fit,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“The injuries can take a lot out of players. Has he still got that yard of pace he had before when he came on the scene? He hasn’t played enough games back to back.”
Wilshere has enjoyed an injury-hit spell at Arsenal since bursting onto the scene as an exciting midfield prospect in 2009.
Arsenal are in sixth place in the Premier League table following their goalless draw with West Ham in the London derby.
