Football News
Arsenal prodigy to be unleashed on Adebayor & co
Arsenal's much-hyped English prodigy Jack Wilshere is set to make his first start for loan side Bolton Wanderers as they take on Manchester City this evening. The 17-year-old, who made his debut in last season's Carling Cup is so highly regarded at Arsenal that he has even been tipped by boss Arsene Wenger to make Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.
Wilshere joined the Arsenal academy in 2001 as a 9-year-old and eventually rose through the ranks to captain the Gunner’s under-16 side. Instrumental in Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup triumph last year the young midfielder has drawn comparisons with legendary Highbury hero Liam Brady.
After being left on the bench for the last two Trotters games, despite being stripped and ready to come on Saturday, it now looks as though Wilshere will make his debut against former Arsenal teammates Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure.
“He’s very much in my thoughts,” said Coyle. “I was disappointed and frustrated for Jack against Fulham but it’s fair to say you’ll see him tonight.
“For such a young lad, he has a terrific football brain. He’s very composed and likes to pass and move the ball, which is what we are trying to do so we’re not one-dimensional.
“Like young Vladimir [Weiss], he’s got a lot to learn because they are young boys but they’ve both got natural talent and a desire to be Premier League players and they will add another dimension to our play.
“They’re both talented players and they’re going to play,” he continued.
“We knew the position we were in when we came into the club. We were in the bottom three but we’ve taken ourselves out of that and we need to continue that.
“These kids can play. Jack missed out (on Saturday) but you saw in 20-25 minutes of Weiss (on Saturday) that he’s an entertaining and exciting player — and that’s what I want: exciting performances while winning games.”