No Ozil? No problem: How Jack Wilshere stepped up against Cardiff City

Although Nicklas Bendtner might have grabbed the headlines, Jack Wilshere was the driving force behind Arsenal’s Premier League victory over Cardiff.

Even as Arsenal played out a tepid goalless first half, Wilshere was the Gunners’ brightest spark. While other players looked listless, Wilshere continually tried to make things happen.

Wilshere’s talent has never been in question. Consistency has been a bigger problem. However, against Cardiff there were signs that a degree of reliability is returning to his game.

His passing accuracy was a creditable 83% – the exact same figure he achieved in Arsenal’s previous game against Newcastle.

One pass was particularly telling: the beautiful flick that played Theo Walcott in to add Arsenal’s second goal.

That ball was played from the position between midfield and attack – one which Wilshere occupied superbly for most of the game. In the absence of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, Wilshere was allowed to play in the No. 10 position that his squad number suggests he envisages as being his future role in the Arsenal team.

A comparison of Wilshere’s Heat Maps against Newcastle and Cardiff illustrate the benefit of the Englishman’s advanced role.

At Newcastle, Wilshere was deployed in a deeper position alongside Mathieu Flamini.

Wilshere was forced to do much of his work in his own half, where his creative thinking and incisive passing is less effective.

His Heat Map against Cardiff shows an intriguing contrast.

In this game, Wilshere was able to get on the ball much higher up the field and affect the game in more dangerous areas.

His prominence in the final third is shown by the fact that he managed three shots against Cardiff, whereas he mustered only one at St. James’ Park.

Wilshere seemed to thrive on being handed the responsibility of being Arsenal’s primary playmaker.

With Ozil and Ramsey both doubtful for Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Tottenham, Wilshere could be handed another opportunity to impress as an attacking midfielder.