Ranking Jack Wilshere's 5 Goals for Arsenal So Far

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Arsenal fans can't seem to agree on many things these days, but one subject unites the entire fan base like none other: Jack Wilshere.

Nobody disputes the young Englishman's quality, and many, including Bastian Schweinsteiger, have labelled him one of the best in the world. When nothing seems to be working for Arsenal, Wilshere is always there to drive the team forward with his surging runs from midfield.

Perhaps the only thing missing from his game is goals, but those will come in time. While we wait for the inevitable river of winners that will flow from Wilshere's left foot, let's rank the five he has scored for Arsenal so far.

Honorable Mention

I wish I could include this goal in the ranking, because it's the best goal that Wilshere has ever scored in an Arsenal shirt (and might be for some time).

With Arsene Wenger watching, a teenage Wilshere, playing for the erstwhile Reserves, picks up a pass from a fellow midfielder, takes a touch and—I won't spoil it, just have a look.

Incredible class at such a young age.

5. Vs. Aston Villa, November 2010

Jack Wilshere's first Premier League goal for Arsenal ironically had nothing to do with the fleet feet that have made him so famous.

Rather, an unopposed diving header in stoppage time of a match against Aston Villa provided Wilshere his first opportunity to get on the scoresheet for the club in a non-cup setting.

It was certainly a finish to remember, but not because of the skill required to put the ball in the back of the net. The simple goal assured Arsenal a 4-2 victory at Villa Park.

Fun fact: Robert Pires started for Villa in one of his final appearances in professional football.

4. Vs. Shakhtar Donetsk, October 2010

Here, we see the first evidence of the class that would make Wilshere such an integral part of Arsenal's team during the 2010-11 season.

Timing his run through the defense perfectly, he picks up the ball and coolly dinks the ball right over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Mighty classy from an 18-year-old.

3. Vs. Sheffield United, September 2008

Ten days after becoming the youngest ever Arsenal player to appear in the Premier League at the age of 16, Wilshere scored his first competitive goal for the club. And what a cracker it was.

Picking the ball up on the right side of midfield, he cut inside and unleashed a cracking left-footed shot that Paddy Kenny could not stop at the near post.

2. Vs. Montpellier, November 2012

A little over a month after returning from a brutal 15-month injury layoff, Wilshere's hard work was finally rewarded with a slick goal.

It was a true poacher's finish from the midfielder. Latching on to a loose ball in the box, he made the split-second decision to chip the ball over the advancing goalkeeper with the outside of his left foot.

The result was a celebration fueled by pure exaltation. A moment that Wilshere will no doubt remember for a long time.

1. Vs. Swansea, January 2013

Wilshere's most recent goal is probably also the best he has ever scored in an Arsenal jersey.

The strike, which proved to be the winner in a 1-0 FA Cup victory over Swansea, was the reward for minutes upon minutes of relentless Arsenal pressure and merely made the moment more sweet for the Gunners.

After Olivier Giroud deftly laid the ball off just outside the box, Wilshere let the ball bounce twice and finally struck when the moment was right. He hit the ball perfectly, giving Michel Vorm no chance and sending the Emirates into a frenzy.

Here's to many more like that from Arsenal's best player.

 

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