Arsenal FC: Jack Wilshere's Return Won't Save the Gunners' Season

As Jack Wilshere's return from injury gets closer, it important to be weary of expecting the England international to have a major impact on the outcome of Arsenal's season.

Wilshere has been out since early the end of July with a recurring ankle problem. He has gone through surgery and suffered some setbacks along the way. It is dangerous to expect too much too soon.

The problem is that Arsenal's season needs a saviour. The club is facing up to the reality that the failure to quickly and adequately replace key players could easily cost Arsenal its place in the top four.

A lack of a true playmaker has rendered the Gunners attack impotent in the last two months and results have suffered. There seems to be a prevailing notion that Arsenal's lack of creative output will immediately be solved by the return of Wilshere.

But this may not be a realistic assessment of Wilshere's playing style or his role in the team. The 20-year-old is more of a driving, box-to-box player. He is composed on the ball and plays a key part in knitting Arsenal's passing together.

But so far in his first-team career, Wilshere has not demonstrated the creative proficiency to be the kind of provider Arsenal desperately need. The Gunners' current system requires an attacking midfielder who can provide a prolific supply line to the forwards.

What set Cesc Fabregas apart in this role was the Spaniard's capability of threading defense splitting passes from both deep and advanced positions. The frequency of these decisive passes also made Fabregas invaluable.

It is too much to expect Wilshere to instantly assume this mantle and become as regular a provider. Another element the Gunners are sorely lacking is consistent goals from midfield. But again, Wilshere would need to demonstrate significant improvement in this area to be the kind of factor many are hoping for.

Wilshere has the potential for goals, but has yet to realise it. The prodigious youth is blessed with a powerful left foot strike and gets himself in scoring positions often enough. Which makes a goal return of two in 49 appearances in 2010-11, simply not good enough.

Wilshere can help the most by adding his familiar brand of determination and tenacity to Arsenal's starting XI. He is an efficient and active midfield presence.

But after such a lengthy layoff and given the current overall level of his game, Arsenal fans would be wise not to expect Wilshere to spark a major revival.