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Jack Wilshere names unlikely Arsenal player who is ‘the key’ to ending 21-year title wait
Jack Wilshere believes it ‘feels like’ this could be the season Arsenal end their Premier League title drought. The Gunners have not won a league title since their unbeaten season in 2003/04. GettyArsenal can end their Premier League title wait this season, according to Wilshere[/caption] Mikel Arteta has guided the club to three consecutive second place finishes since 2022. However, he has so far failed to pip either Manchester City or Liverpool in their recent title races. Following the addition of eight summer signings, though, Wilshere believes the squad is now ready to end their wait for a title. His former side have won four of their opening six league matches this term and sit two points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Asked if this is the year Arsenal get over the line, he told Drive: “It feels like that, but it felt like that a little bit last year for me as well. And Liverpool came and surprised everyone a little bit. “It’s the best I’ve seen the squad probably ever. Still have to keep everyone fit because it’s okay saying that you’ve got a squad but you have to keep them fit because if not you go back to what we had last year. “So I think we still have to manage that but we’ve got quality all over the pitch.” Who is ‘key’ to Arsenal’s title hopes? Arteta’s summer spending spree saw Viktor Gyokeres arrive to bolster the attack, which already included Bukayo Saka. Meanwhile, the spine of his team features captain Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and David Raya. Despite that, Wilshere believes another player could be key to glory this term, revealing: “The one that I really love is Timber. GettyTimber is ‘the key’ to the Gunners’ hopes this season thanks to his versatility[/caption] “I think, apart from number nine and in goal, he gives you something in every single position. “He’s aggressive, he wins his duels, he looks like a leader.” Jurrien Timber joined the club from Ajax in 2023 and has since made 59 appearances for the Gunners. The versatile Dutch defender can play across the back four but has established himself as Arteta’s first choice at right-back so far this season. Timber has featured in all eight matches across the Premier League and Champions League, starting six of those fixtures. His importance has not gone unnoticed either, with Arsenal reportedly opening talks over a new deal. The 24-year-old’s current contract is set to expire in 2028. Wilshere on ‘defensive approach’ Arsenal can go top of the table this weekend with a win at home to West Ham on Saturday. Despite losing just once in their opening six league matches, Arteta has faced some criticism for his defensive style against his title rivals. His approach against both Liverpool and Manchester City came under scrutiny after his side picked up just one point from those two matches. However, Wilshere believes it is crucial for a title-winning team to be hard to play against. He explained: “All the talk of ‘is it a defensive approach?’ I don’t think we should be worrying about that at this point. GettyWilshere has defended Arteta’s ‘defensive approach’ against his title rivals[/caption] “I think in some games you’re gonna have to just be hard to play against. Of course at times you want to see a little bit more, but we’re not losing. “Being hard to play against is a big strength of champions. They need it. “You see over the years, I remember going to Old Trafford time and time again and playing well and dominating the game but losing the game. “So that doesn’t worry me. Let’s just go from strength to strength.”
Jack Wilshere believes it ‘feels like’ this could be the season Arsenal end their Premier League title drought.
The Gunners have not won a league title since their unbeaten season in 2003/04.
Mikel Arteta has guided the club to three consecutive second place finishes since 2022.
However, he has so far failed to pip either Manchester City or Liverpool in their recent title races.
Following the addition of eight summer signings, though, Wilshere believes the squad is now ready to end their wait for a title.
His former side have won four of their opening six league matches this term and sit two points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Asked if this is the year Arsenal get over the line, he told Drive: “It feels like that, but it felt like that a little bit last year for me as well. And Liverpool came and surprised everyone a little bit.
“It’s the best I’ve seen the squad probably ever. Still have to keep everyone fit because it’s okay saying that you’ve got a squad but you have to keep them fit because if not you go back to what we had last year.
“So I think we still have to manage that but we’ve got quality all over the pitch.”
Who is ‘key’ to Arsenal’s title hopes?
Arteta’s summer spending spree saw Viktor Gyokeres arrive to bolster the attack, which already included Bukayo Saka.
Meanwhile, the spine of his team features captain Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and David Raya.
Despite that, Wilshere believes another player could be key to glory this term, revealing: “The one that I really love is Timber.
“I think, apart from number nine and in goal, he gives you something in every single position.
“He’s aggressive, he wins his duels, he looks like a leader.”
Jurrien Timber joined the club from Ajax in 2023 and has since made 59 appearances for the Gunners.
The versatile Dutch defender can play across the back four but has established himself as Arteta’s first choice at right-back so far this season.
Timber has featured in all eight matches across the Premier League and Champions League, starting six of those fixtures.
His importance has not gone unnoticed either, with Arsenal reportedly opening talks over a new deal.
The 24-year-old’s current contract is set to expire in 2028.
Wilshere on ‘defensive approach’
Arsenal can go top of the table this weekend with a win at home to West Ham on Saturday.
Despite losing just once in their opening six league matches, Arteta has faced some criticism for his defensive style against his title rivals.
His approach against both Liverpool and Manchester City came under scrutiny after his side picked up just one point from those two matches.
However, Wilshere believes it is crucial for a title-winning team to be hard to play against.
He explained: “All the talk of ‘is it a defensive approach?’ I don’t think we should be worrying about that at this point.
“I think in some games you’re gonna have to just be hard to play against. Of course at times you want to see a little bit more, but we’re not losing.
“Being hard to play against is a big strength of champions. They need it.
“You see over the years, I remember going to Old Trafford time and time again and playing well and dominating the game but losing the game.
“So that doesn’t worry me. Let’s just go from strength to strength.”
