Jack Wilshere’s match fitness
How big a part will Wilshere play in the final?
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Onlooking England fans’ main concern may well be the form, fitness and impact of Jack Wilshere. The midfielder was named in Roy Hodgson’s squad for the tournament in Brazil despite only having 27 minutes of football since being injured in a friendly with Denmark in March.
Wilshere does have the propensity to swing a match in his side’s favour and it would be a huge boost if he were to make it to the World Cup after building up his match fitness ahead of the competition with an outing here. A starting berth in this game might be beyond him, but England fans will be keen that the midfielder is given at least some time on the pitch and Tom Cleverley is left as a reserve in the Three Lions’ squad.
Arsenal have had key players in Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Özil returning to fitness in recent weeks, and Wilshere’s availability will only strengthen them as they seek to win their first piece of silverware since 2005. A squad as strong as Arsenal’s certainly should be capable of doing so, particularly with Wilshere back in action.
