Arsenal kid Jack Wilshere is the real deal

EDITORIAL: There are two great websites devoted exclusively to Arsenal's academy - and I envy the people behind them.

There's nothing better as a fan to watch one of your own progress from the youth team to the international stage - and for Arsenal supporters the promise of this season has to be especially exciting.

The guys running Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth and the Young Guns websites must know how lucky they are to have had the opportunity to follow from day one the development of Jack Wilshere.

Watching how he handled Wigan Athletic's robust midfield - including Wilson Palacios, now of Tottenham - in last season's Carling Cup tie, you knew you were witnessing something special. It was similar to Wayne Rooney's England debut against Turkey or Micah Richards' derby performance for Manchester City two seasons ago. It was exciting to see a 17 year-old kid, in a kit two sizes too big for him, weaving in-and-out of heavy tackles, bouncing off physical challenges and spraying the ball to all corners of the pitch.

His performance in the Emirates Cup last week confirmed it. If Wilshere can maintain his progress, England will have a genuine worldbeater on their hands. A Kaka or Cristiano Ronaldo in the making.

What really sets Wilshere apart is that he's a throwback - which may work actually against him as we all join the bandwagon calling for his inclusion in next year's World Cup squad. He's not your 6 foot-plus, box-to-box athlete in the Steven Gerrard mould. He is like Liam Brady, Michele Platini and Glenn Hoddle, who divided opinion when it came to his England selection during the days of Sir Bobby Robson. It will be up to the England manager, whoever that is when the time comes, to build his team around Wilshere.

For now, we can all look forward to seeing Wilshere establish himself in the Premiership. Arsene Wenger may try to hold him back, but given his Emirates Cup form, it's unlikely we'll have to wait long to see Wilshere introduce himself to the Premiership's global audience.

It's great credit to Arsenal and Wilshere's minders that he's been relatively anonymous in the national press. As he waited to turn pro at the turn of the year, there was never any hint of transfer speculation, or endorsement deals - which is in sharp contrast to how Danny Sturridge's move from Manchester City to Chelsea was handled. Indeed, we're yet to hear from the player in any great depth. It does appear everyone around Wilshere - and himself - are determined to handle his growing profile carefully. Which can only be good for Arsenal - and England.

For this season, let's just enjoy discovering this young lad with the world at his feet - and congratulate those Arsenal fans who have been privileged to see his progress in these last two years.

 
Vidic fitness big worry for Man Utd

Forget the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, the big problem looming for Manchester United is the fitness of Nemanja Vidic.

For many, the Serb should have been named Player of the Year last season ahead of teammate Ryan Giggs - with his meltdown against Liverpool working against him. He's a critical part of United's platform and a preseason plagued by ankle problems has him looking towards the new campaign without any fitness base to build from.

It's a real dilemma for Sir Alex Ferguson. It might not be until December before Vidic is fully match fit. And then there's the matter of rhythm and consistency. With so much hanging on the senior players Tevez and Ronaldo left behind, United can ill-afford a stop-start season from Vidic.

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