Cazorla’s imminent return means there will be no room for Arsenal’s golden boy

It was the last international break when Santi Cazorla was ruled out for over a month with an ankle injury. Arsenal fans were forced to wait for the exciting prospect of new signing Mesut Ozillinking up with last years’ hero Cazorla at the Emirates. It could happen for the first time this weekend when the Gunners host Norwich, but will it be at the expense of Jack Wilshere?

With Aaron Ramsey’s form and Mesut Ozil’s arrival, Wilshere has been forced out-of-position and has been playing on the left-side of midfield, a position Cazorla made his own last season. Cazorla is unlikely to sit on the bench when he returns and if Ozil and Ramsey continue delivering impressive performances, Wilshere is the midfielder likely to be watching from the sidelines.

Jack Wilshere Duels Won

Normally a player who thrives in a duel, Wilshere has yet to find his feet this season, he has made just six tackles in 495 minutes. Only managing to be successful with 38% of his take-ons, the 21-year-old, on many occasions this season has seemed to be a yard off the pace.

With no assists and just nine key passes in seven games, Wilshere has a lot of work to do to match Cazorla on the creative front. The Spaniard managed 11 assists in 38 Premier League games last season, with 84 key passes to his name. He also managed 12 goals in his debut season. Wilshere scored his second ever in the Premier League a fortnight ago against West Brom. Cazorla will more than likely win his place back – at Wilshere’s expense. But the English midfielder need not to worry too much. Arsene Wenger is the manager, and when his players aren’t in the best form, he supports them and continues to give them game time, Aaron Ramsey being the most recent example of the French tacticians’ patience paying off.

Despite scoring Arsenal’s only goal in the 1-1 draw against West Brom, Wilshere’s performance have dipped in quality since his impressive displays at the start of the year. Injuries have been blamed, but he is unlikely to get much sympathy with the quality of competition now in the midfield. It can be seen as a positive for Arsenal as Jack will now have to work hard to win his place back, and he’s not a bad substitute to call upon.