There is always plenty of media speculation doing the rounds on where Cesc Fabregas will be playing his football next season. With the sheer volume of rumours it’s beginning to look like it’s unlikely the Spaniard will be at Arsenal next season. However, before Arsenal fans start worrying about how to replace the midfield star, pause for a moment and consider the silver lining. For the last few seasons we have looked at the Arsenal squad and wondered where the British players are – but could all that be about to change. With Fabregas gone surely Jack Wilshere would move into centre stage and could well be supported by the likes of Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and possibly even Henri Lansbury. The player who has been on loan at Norwich, this week said he is targeting the Arsenal first-team and with Fabregas gone his chance might just come.

But let’s come back to Wilshere and consider him as the star of the midfield. However, at the age of 19 you surely wouldn’t dream of handing the captaincy over to him, would you? But even so Wilshere can grow as a leader of that midfield in either his organizational skills or by the example he sets by his play. Recently Wilshere has been playing as a holding midfielder for Arsenal – but he is one of those rare talents that can adapt to any role in the midfield. Therefore, Arsenal can build their team around him without having to worry too much about the position he will play.

However, with news that Wilshere has been selected for the England U21’s the dangers of burn out are there for all to see and could there be such a thing as pushing too much too hard. Well with most youngsters there might be something in that – but Wilshere is a very special talent and I think extra responsibility on his shoulders is the sort of conditions that will allow Wilshere to blossom into both a top level Premier League and England player.

In many ways it’s tempting to throw him straight into the England side now and I can certainly see Wenger’s issues with having him play for both the England U21’s and England national sides. However, Wilshere is still young and needs to get playing a good amount of games to allow him to develop his skills in the best way possible. There is always the mental attitude to consider; surely it can only benefit Wilshere to play in big games in big stadiums now. That level of experience will stand him in good stead in the future – when playing in big games for Arsenal and England; if he has been there before he won’t need to worry about nerves so much so can just focus on his performance. How often do we hear of an England manager’s reluctance to play a youngster in the World Cup because of his lack of experience? Furthermore you can understand why Stuart Pearce is interested in picking the best players he can and who can blame him.

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So with everything being said the future looks very bright for Jack Wilshere, if he continues to develop the way he has done he will be a terrific player. And don’t underestimate the power of having the Arsenal team built around him. Fabregas will be a big loss but with Wilshere coming into his prime maybe it’s just natural progression.

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