“I will never say no to my country.”

So Jack Wilshere has vowed.

We all know the story by now. The European U21 Championship takes place this summer. Stuart Pearce has included Wilshere in his provisional 40-man squad for the trip to Denmark in June, there is absolutely no doubt he will make the squad and the starting XI. As you all know (in case my username isn’t a giveaway) I am Irish so I come at this 100% from an Arsenal point of view and want Jack to rest up and play the tourney on his Xbox this summer. However, I respect that the majority here are English, and while a lot, if not all, would put club over country in this case, that you want your country to do as well as possible, and having Wilshere in the squad will do that. Instead of rambling on, I will set out the arguments each side has for Jack going or staying.

Arsene Wenger — Arsenal

Jack Wilshere is 19 years old and has had his first full season as a senior starter under his belt. He has played 52 (FIFTY TWO!!) times for his club and country already this season. That would take the wind out of the best of seasoned players, never mind a young man who is barely old enough not to be called a teenager. During this time, he has taken on massive responsibility in our midfield. Personally, I can’t remember why he came into the squad, was it an injury? Was it because he did so well at Bolton? Was it tactical? All I know is he came in and played like he has been a senior for years. Playing against the likes of Xavi and Iniesta, and with the likes of Fabregas and Rooney (for England) hasn’t daunted him. He demands the ball, and he is not shy in trying to win it.

So Wenger has one question to ask himself when pondering Jack’s trip to Denmark; “What will he learn?” The answer is “nothing.” He already has all the technical ability, he won’t learn from those around him or those he is up against. He is already considered a main player for Arsenal so will not upgrade his responsibility chart. All Wenger cares about is Arsenal, and Wilshere’s trip to Denmark is nothing but a headache to him.

Stuart Pearce — England 

Just as Wenger’s considerations are all about Arsenal, so Stuart Pearce’s are all about England’s U21. He is not managing them to be friends with club managers, he is there to get the best out of who he can select, and Jack Wilshere is the best he can select. Pearce’s argument is very easy to see, yes he realizes that Jack has played a lot this season, but he also realizes that Jack is one of the best young talents in world football right now and not taking him would be madness. If Wilshere is tired after the tournament its not Pearce’s problem but Wenger’s, of course it could also be Capello’s problem. What is good for the England U21s might not be good for the Senior squad. What good will an exhausted Jack Wilshere be to you in Poland and the Ukraine next year?

Jack Wilshere

There is no doubting this is a fine young man we have on our hands at Arsenal. There was some stories early last season that he was getting a bit big for his boots, a few months at Bolton sorted that out (one of Wenger’s best loan decisions in my opinion) and you know he will always give a 100% for whoever he plays for, and he wants to play for England. Following his Twitter, Jack takes huge pride in being English, and unlike some other players who will claim man flu to get out of an international game, Jack will play whenever and wherever needed.

He sees the tournament in Denmark as a major one and one where he can lead his country. He is playing as well these last few weeks as he had been at the start so obviously he doesn’t feel tired, however its how he feels after the tournament that matters. It would be very sad that a young man who wants to do right by his country could set his career back a bit next season by getting exhausted and perhaps dropped by Wenger for the first few games.

Hopefully it doesn’t come to this. I  fully expect Jack to be in Denmark in June and in the starting XI, and while I wish England’s U21s all the best, I won’t hide my happiness if they get knocked out early and Jack is on the beach having a nice rest for the remainder of the summer.

Written by Irishgunner