Why the Next 12 Months Are Crucial for Jack Wilshere's Arsenal Career

Watching Jack Wilshere play as a teenager was incredibly exciting for anyone associated with English football.

It was difficult to believe he was a product of a British academy, such was his poise on the ball. He dribbled with a precocious arrogance rarely seen in players from these islands and passed with an imagination and accuracy that seemed to suggest he would have been more comfortable at La Masia than London Colney.

The sad truth is that in recent seasons, 23-year-old Wilshere has failed to deliver on that early promise.

The major obstacle to his progress has been a series of injury problems. Though, questions about his attitude and conduct away from the field have eroded some of the sympathy Wilshere had during his first major lay-off.

As things stand, Wilshere is on the verge of launching his latest comeback attempt. According to James Olley of the Evening Standard, Arsenal are optimistic that Wilshere will be fit to face Liverpool this weekend.

He wrote: "It is understood that Wilshere has returned to full training with the aim of being named among the substitutes for the Premier League clash with Liverpool on Saturday, April 4."

However, it's noticeable that there is less excitement among the fans than the fervour that normally accompanies his return to training. Arsenal fans have seen this one too many times. No longer do they believe Wilshere will be a panacea to the problems in their midfield. This time, the onus is on the player to prove his worth. 

It won't be easy for him.

Arsenal appear to have stumbled upon an effective midfield system, with Francis Coquelin holding and Santi Cazorla or Aaron Ramsey bridging the gap to the wandering Mesut Ozil. Dislodging any of those players will be difficult.

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It's not even immediately apparent where Wilshere would fit in to that triumvirate. He's played in a variety of roles in his short career, cropping up on the wing, as a No. 10, and even playing as deep-lying playmaker for England. If he wants to make the most of his talents, he will probably need to settle permanently in one position.

He is in danger of becoming little more than a utility player.

For someone with his natural gifts, that would be an underwhelming destiny. Wilshere ought to be emulating Cesc Fabregas, not Mathieu Flamini.

This is a crucial period for the Arsenal man.

At present, the contribution of Ramsey and Cazorla far outstrips what Wilshere offers the team. On the international scene, the likes of Jordan Henderson appear to be making far more obvious strides in their development. If he wants to remain a crucial figure for club and country, he must begin to produce the goods.

Key to that will be remaining fit, and that may require an adjustment to his game. Wilshere is often guilty of driving directly at defenders, resulting in heavy collisions and lengthy lay-offs. He may have to learn to protect himself a little better if he is to survive the tumult of the Premier League midfield.

The clock is ticking for Wilshere, and patience is growing thin. If he does not deliver in the next 12 months, Arsenal may be forced to consider selling a player they had once earmarked as a future icon.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.