Wilshere and Walcott Key to Arsenal’s Champions League Berth
Jack Wilshere of Arsenal-Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Arsenal currently resides in 5th place, right out of contention for a very important spot in next year’s Champions League. The Gunners are only four points behind Tottenham and two points behind Chelsea, who are third and fourth in the standings. With eight games league games left this season, Arsenal needs to regain position on Chelsea to qualify for the most important tournament of next year.
Arsenal has a really good chance of pulling off a stunning run with Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere set to return for their April 13th game against Norwich City. Both have been out for an extended period of time; their rest will be welcomed come game time. Arsenal assistant coach Steve Bould told the Arsenal’s official website the good news:
“We have good news with both of them. Jack [Wilshere] and Theo [Walcott] are outside running and have an outside chance of being involved against Norwich a week on Saturday.”
Despite Walcott and Wilshere’s absence, the Gunners have still managed to win three of their last four Premier League games, only losing to third place Tottenham. Walcott and Wilshere will provide the extra fitness necessary to take a club into the last quarter of the season.
Both Walcott and Wilshere will provide excellent skills that Arsenal simply couldn’t account for after they were injured. These are two of their best players and it is amazing that they have made it this far at the end of the season without them.
Walcott will help Arsenal in two ways: speed and scoring. Even after missing the last few games after injuring himself last month while on international duty with England, Walcott remains the second leading scorer for the Gunners. His eleven goals, just one short of Santi Cazorla, have been very important to Arsenal’s season thus far.
While Walcott has clearly made an impact on the stat sheet, Wilshere’s skills go far beyond numbers. When healthy, the English midfielder is one of the most consistent and confident midfielders in the Premier League. His presence alone will be a huge boost for the injury bugged Arsenal squad. If Walcott and Wilshere can come back in top form, Arsenal has a very good chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
Undoubtedly, Walcott and Wilshere are two of Arsensl’s best players but unfortunately they are significant parts of Arsenal’s problem. This is because they are very dangerous defensive liabilities as they most often do not help the defence or chase down to regained possession after losing it. It could be very annoying seeing Wilsher strolling instead of running after losing possession.