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Football: Wilshere peaking as Wenger eyes Fergie record
LONDON, Dec 30, 2017 (BSS/AFP) – Jack Wilshere believes he is nearing a
return to his best form as he prepares to make a fifth successive Premier
League start when Arsenal visit West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
The game will see manager Arsene Wenger in charge for a record 811th
Premier League game, passing the mark previously set by Alex Ferguson at
Manchester United, and give the Gunners an opportunity to strengthen their
push for a top-four spot.
For Wilshere, it will also offer the chance to reinforce the view he has
re-established himself after breaking a leg towards the end of his loan spell
at Bournemouth last season.
Since being promoted into Wenger’s first choice line-up, Wilshere has
excelled, prompting talk of an international recall ahead of next year’s
World Cup finals in Russia.
The 25-year-old’s most recent display in Thursday’s 3-2 win at Crystal
Palace — a win that moved the Gunners to within a point of the top four
ahead of the latest round of matches — drew praise, in particular for the
pass that set up Alexis Sanchez’s second goal.
After several injury-scarred seasons, Wilshere insists he is feeling as
good as he has done for some time.
“I was happy with my form last year and I’m probably better now,” he told
arsenal.com.
“I feel better, I feel fitter and I’m getting better with each game. I’m
enjoying my football.” Wilshere is out of contract at the end of the season
but expects to open talks about a new deal soon.
“I spoke to the boss and he says he’s going to speak to me, so we’ll see
when he speaks to me and I’m sure it will be done,” he said.
– ‘A big blow for us’ –
Sanchez’s double underlined how important the Chile international is to
Arsenal when he is on form and put the focus firmly on the player’s contract
impasse.
The South American is in the final year of his current deal and is expected
to be a target for Manchester City in January — the leaders having failed to
sign him on deadline day back in August.
MORE/MR/ 1023 hrs
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Wilshere, though, is in no doubt about his team-mate’s quality.
“He comes to feet, spins in behind and just makes it difficult for
defenders and easy for midfielders to pick passes,” said Wilshere.
“He makes it a lot easier and he puts it in the goal which means I get the
assist for it.”
West Brom are winless in 18 straight Premier League games including six
under recently-appointed head coach Alan Pardew, who has suffered a further
blow with the news Nacer Chadli has been ruled out for another two months.
The Belgium international has played just three times in the Premier League
this season because of hip problems and limped off only 15 minutes into his
latest comeback in the 3-1 defeat at Stoke City last weekend.
“We think he’s going to miss the first two months of this year which is a
big blow for us,” said Pardew.
“Coming out of the Stoke game that was probably as big a blow as the
defeat.
“It’s something I’m going to have to look at in January, because obviously
he’s a quality player going out of the group for some considerable time.”
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1023hrs