The Rise and Rise of Jack Wilshere

Well, there were two 1-0 results, and similar take-aways. First, the loss against Juve really should never have been. We started with what was our Under-19 squad, and to see the likes of Ramsey, Gibbs, Wilshere, and Captain Senderos line up against the big-gun geriatrics was sweet. Despite all the huffing and puffing though, it was typical that our goal was was hyper-dubious offside which the blind linesman missed. I suppose if we're to allow for players being slightly less than sharp, the same should be allowed for referees and their assistants.

The starting line-up against Real was more like it, and apart from Senderos and Denilson, we were as close to first first team as possible. It was great watching. But some of the usual problems cropped up: (a) Eboue the idiot is still Eboue the idiot; (b) Diaby really should learn to pass (unlike his team-mates, who still regularly insist on passing in the penalty area) once his dribbling has gone awry.

What struck me most though, and I'm sure it was the same for anyone who watched - was the performances of Jack Wilshere. My word. Who would believe that this was a 16 year old? The last time we honestly saw such assured performances from someone so young was...I hesitate to say...Wayne Rooney. The difference being: (a) Wilshere looks like a nice (but tough) kid. Rooney looks like a hooligan, or someone who would stab and decapitate you on a Greyhound. (b) Wilshere looks like you could have a nice conversation with him. Rooney looks incapable of more than a grunt. The way Wilshere's going, I wouldn't be surprised to see him sit on the bench for a couple of first teams, and make his way in the way Theo used to. Instead, I think he could make even bigger impacts. Astonishing, to say the least.

Both Ramsey and Denilson put in decent performances in the middle of the park - which under normal circumstances, would be applauded. The sad fact is that we invariably measure them against what would have been if Cesc were on the pitch, and I must say, we missed him. May he be well rested and come out all guns blazing against FC Twente.

So, the bottom line is this: we saw some really really encouraging stuff. For now, we'll put down Adebayor's pathetic misses to pre-season rustiness. (He did have one astonishing run). We'll also hope that once everyone gets sharper (like Nasri), we'll start playing some really sweet stuff. I can already see the potential. The only thing we need to do now is get rid of Eboue. There really is nothing left to say about the dude.