Arsene Wenger worked with some of the best players to decorate the English game. The iconic manager turned Arsenal into invincibility and took the Premier League to a completely new era in the football he played his team. And in reality, it was the England team who should have benefited most.
Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp – with a few names, while everything was starred under Wenger, it is worth remembering that the Frenchman held the key to unlocking the possibilities of Highbury, including Ashley Cole, Tony Adams, Sol Campbell, Ian Wright, David Seaman and others.
At the heart of Arsenal’s history, Wenger has not forgotten his influence, working with the core of the greatest players in the history of the English legend and club.
“I remember when he did his first interview, but it was the first time someone saw him, especially us. He was wearing these huge glasses.
“And when he comes in and explains to us what he’s trying to do – change the diet, change the training regime, he wants people to rest more, we want you to drink more water, we want you to chew your food more.
“Previously, I had a direct focus on my arm, and that’s not a questionable thing. It was basically something everyone knows today, like vitamin C, B12, omega-3. He was way ahead of his time. (Wenger’s Ian Wright)
But as Wright and others thrived under Wenger, and as a result, as he deserves praise, the former Arsenal boss decided to only designate one former England player on his list of favourite gunners.
Wenger’s name is Wilshire among his greatest Arsenal players of all time.
Snubbling Wright, Campbell, Seaman and Cole, among others, Wenger named only one British player when asked about his favorite Arsenal player.
The former midfielder invaded Wenger’s side as a potentially young prospect, and the injury ultimately controlled his career, but the former Arenaal boss has not forgotten the abilities Wilshire had always had abundant. Wilshire won’t receive much praise when he named Hale End’s alumni alongside Helley, Bergkamp, Vieira, Robert Pierce, Freddie Lumberg, Cesc Fabregas and Aaron Ramsey.
Wilshire of Arsenal | statistics |
|---|---|
exterior | 197 |
the goal | 14 |
assist | 28 |
Ultimately, Wilshire’s career went down as “the possible” rather than as “what had happened”, but no one could take away the 197 Arsenal appearances and the two FA Cup victories that followed.
After his retirement, the former England ace received considerable praise from Wenger. “For me, Jack is an exceptional footballer, so it’s a sad moment.
“He was brave, talented and not everyone was scared of. So I thought he could start at a very young age. He quickly showed that he had the ability to become a main player.”