Arsenal FC: 4 Players Who Need to Step Up in Jack Wilshere's Absence

With the departures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas this past summer, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had placed a lot of importance on the presence of Jack Wilshere in the Arsenal midfield.

The England international’s unexpected injury means that players who may have taken on more of a peripheral role must now step up and look to make an immediate impact.

What is certain to be a hammer-blow to Arsenal’s aspirations of finishing in the top four this season, the Arsenal midfield, which has been significantly stripped of quality over the past few months, must now readjust and look for individuals who can add that extra bit of quality that the team have so desperately been lacking.

Tomas Rosicky

There is no question as to why Arsene Wenger brought Tomas Rosicky to Arsenal in the summer of 2006. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder possessed all the qualities needed to enhance Arsenal’s midfield at the time.

The Czech international brought a creative wizardry to the Arsenal that is now few and far between. He showed great ability in front of goal, scoring a number of long-range efforts at both international level and in his first season at Arsenal.

A serious hamstring injury left the player out of action for almost 18 months during the 2007/08 season, and since his return, Rosicky has struggled to regain the form and ability that brought him the attention of Arsene Wenger.

In Wilshere’s absence it’s vital Rosicky provides a forward-thinking, attacking mindset in the Arsenal midfield. And with a number of young players taking up the places left behind by Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, Rosicky’s experience and leadership will be vital.

Mikel Arteta

When Mikel Arteta was signed on deadline day, little were expecting him to replace the production and leadership of Cesc Fabregas. Instead, he was brought in to aid the development of Jack Wilshere and act as a stopgap until Aaron Ramsey could regain his pre-injury form.

But now, Arteta is one of the candidates forced to adapt to the unforeseen injuries in the squad and hopefully bring a few fresh ideas into a sometimes toothless Arsenal midfield.

With a wealth of experience in the Premier League, Arteta will need very little time settling in to Arsene Wenger’s side. And coming from an Everton side that for many years relied on his creative brilliance, he is certainly familiar with the weight of expectation.

Many will say that Arteta is not the same player he was two seasons ago, having previous campaigns disrupted by injury and an eventual loss of form.

But he is a player that brings quality into this side; with the ability to provide goals from midfield and a threat from set-pieces, Arteta is certainly one of the players Wenger will be looking toward to compensate for the loss of Jack Wilshere.

Aaron Ramsey

Before the season started, it's possible Arsene Wenger was expecting to use Aaron Ramsey sparingly, easing him back to form from his injury of last year. But with the injury to Jack Wilshere, Ramsey has been thrust into the starting XI on a consistent basis.

Despite a few glimmers of his quality, it still seems as though the young Welshman is feeling the effects of that horrific injury suffered at Stoke.

He shows very little presence in the Arsenal midfield and he plays as if he’s without guidance. Often, Ramsey would lineup alongside Cesc Fabregas in the midfield, with Alex Song as an anchor just behind.

But now, the creative burden has been placed on a player who doesn’t appear to have the mentality to accept that kind of responsibility.

Yes, Ramsey does have the ability to pick out a defence-splitting pass, and he is more than capable of retaining possession as Arsenal look for openings in the opposition defence. But his ability to perform at the top level for the Gunners will depend on the support he is given by the more established members of the first XI.

Andrey Arshavin

Andrey Arshavin appears to be an enigma that Arsene Wenger is struggling to solve. The Russian will perform spectacularly one game and completely coast through the next.

He has ability in abundance, providing goals and assists in double figures last season. But his lack of consistency has been the overriding problem.

If Wenger were to get the best out of the midfield maestro, then perhaps a change in tactic is needed. Arshain clearly lacks the stamina, or the will, to perform on the flanks, rarely helping out his fullback and often refusing to close down opposition high up the field.

If Arshavin were moved into a more central position then we may see a far more consistent player; a player who has the ability to link up with striker Robin Van Persie and provide the kind of passes that has been missing from midfield.

But regardless of position on the field, Arshavin needs to show more fight in a struggling Arsenal side. He needs to display the kind of leadership and desire that is often lacking and inspire the younger players in the squad to do well.