5 Things Jack Wilshere Must Do to Take His Game Forward in 2014/15 Season

Before this season started, many—including myself—wondered how Jack Wilshere would fit into Arsenal's team.

Arsene Wenger changing his preferred formation to a much-maligned 4-1-4-1 setup has allowed the starting XI to accommodate an extra midfielder, and Wilshere has been one of the few players to flourish in it.

This is a seminal season for the Englishman—one in which we will see if he can finally stay healthy and make good on the astronomical potential he showed three seasons ago.

Let's look at five things Wilshere needs to do to progress. 

Stop Throwing Himself into Challenges

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

It was unsurprisingly very easy to find a picture of Jack Wilshere throwing himself into a challenge with another player. He's constantly been doing so since he was promoted to the first team years ago.

That recklessness has resulted in numerous injuries, some of which have radically altered the course of his young career and dramatically stunted his development.

Wilshere will never be able to maintain peak form or gain the confidence of Arsene Wenger if he keeps hurting himself in stupid 50-50 challenges, and he needs to rein in that side of his game as aggressively as he clatters into other players. He might win the ball on fewer occasions, but it's a necessary tradeoff.

Look to the Wings

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Everyone remembers Jack Wilshere's amazing goal against Norwich last season. However, he should not keep trying to recreate it.

He is probably not, but he does seem to be stuck in this rut of trying to play intricate passes into the feet of the central striker (or some other midfielder right behind the striker) and running into the box in anticipation of the follow-up pass.

Almost every time Wilshere has tried that, he ends up running into a wall of defenders and killing Arsenal's attack right then and there.

He needs to stop trying to create chances by himself and realize that it is often appropriate to sling the ball out to the wings to keep moving things forward. 

Improve His Long-Range Shooting

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This is a bit nit-picky, but Wilshere does need to improve on his record of five goals in 90 Premier League games for Arsenal if he wants to really be an elite attacking midfielder.

Wilshere is Arsenal's No. 10, after all.

While scoring goals is not his primary responsibility, and he is not an utter liability in front of goal, we saw what a powerful effect Aaron Ramsey's newfound eye for goal had on the team at large last season.

He did score a critical late goal against Swansea from outside the box, but the rest of Wilshere's goals have come from very close range. It does not matter where a shot comes from if it eludes the goalkeeper, of course, but Arsenal would be much more dynamic with another player who can scare goalkeepers. 

Discipline Himself on the Pitch

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Wilshere is frequently seen clashing with opposing players with whom he has just challenged for the ball. He is also often seen passionately arguing with referees. While his dedication to the cause has made him a favorite among fans, his stupidity occasionally has detrimental consequences for himself and the team.

Occasional signs of leadership are often drowned out by moronic actions like giving Manchester City fans the finger after a loss. Wilshere also has a propensity to accumulate yellow cards, putting him at risk of compromising Arsenal during games and getting suspended as the bookings pile up throughout a season.

His passion and lifelong Arsenal fanhood make him a potential future captain, but he'll have to mature before he is trusted with that responsibility. 

Discipline Himself off the Pitch

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A large part of developing the maturity that Wilshere needs to eventually become Arsenal's captain is obtained when he is not wearing red and white.

He is no stranger to off-pitch incidents that have been paraded in England's ravenous tabloids. An Oct. 2013 incident, in which Wilshere was pictured apparently taking a drag from a cigarette, was repeated this past July. Wilshere was again snapped with a cigar at a Las Vegas pool party.

Should the paparazzi be prying into Wilshere's every movement during his summer vacation? Of course not, but that does not excuse his behavior, and he must realize that the prying press will always be present.

It will take time to prove that he has cleaned up his (already pretty good) act.

This is the final step in Wilshere's personal growth.

Follow @charliemelman