Arsenal's Jack Wilshere Makes Positive Loan Switch to Bolton Wanderers

After much speculation surrounding his short-term future, Arsenal's Jack Wilshere completed a loan move to Bolton until the end of the season, the team announced today. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had previously said the midfielder would be loaned out in January "without any doubt."

Wilshere has made seven appearances for Arsenal's first team and is considered one of the most promising youngsters the club has produced for years. Wenger clearly feels this boy has something a bit special for having played him in the Champions League, most notably against Olympiakos this season.

Wilshere, 18, is an England under-21 international and became Arsenal's youngest ever league player at 16 years and 256 days old when he came on as a substitute away at Blackburn in September of 2008. He also scored in the Carling Cup win against Sheffield United in the same season.

Wilshere signed a long-term contract with the Gunners in July and will be hoping that his loan move will see him capture form that can see him cement a regular place in the Arsenal first team, having been on the fringes of late.

The move has come at the right time for Wilshere. He played against West Ham in the FA Cup third round and was largely disappointing. But he is young and still learning. He is not ready for a first-team slot at the Emirates but has plenty of potential he can now realise at Bolton.

In the past, Arsenal youngsters have been loaned and not seen much playing time. I don't see this being a problem at Bolton. New boss Owen Coyle was desperate to take Wilshere on loan whilst at Burnley and continued his attempts when he moved to Bolton. He has also been included in the squad to face Liverpool this weekend immediately. 

Bolton are crying out for creativity, as Coyle likes to play free-flowing football in the Wenger mould and Wilshere can provide the link from midfield to attack and create goals.

Wilshere will return to Arsenal in the summer with extended first-team experience and, more importantly, Premier League experience to his and Arsenal's benefit.