Jack Wilshere was one of the most promising young players to come out of Arsenal's youth team in the 21st century. The midfielder operated with a sense of maturity well beyond his years when he first burst onto the scene and it looked like the Gunners had a special talent on their hands. He wasn't the only promising prospect to come out of Arsenal's academy around that time, though, and he once described another young talent within the side as a 'nightmare' to play against.
Wilshere started his career very strongly and it looked like he was going to control Arsenal's midfield for years to come. It also seemed inevitable that he could become one of the first names on the teamsheet for the England national team too, but injuries seriously derailed his career and he struggled to remain healthy throughout the second half of his career. He ultimately called time on his playing days at just 30 years old. He's since turned to coaching, but what happened to the other young player he described as a 'nightmare' to play against?
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Wilshere Was Very Impressed With Gedion Zelalem
He was compared to Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas
Zelalem
While nothing is ever certain in football, Wilshere was very confident about Gedion Zelalem's future. He came through Arsenal's academy just a few short years after the Englishman did and he expected big things from the midfielder. As quoted by The Guardian, Wilshere said:
"It won't be long before he is ready. He sees passes that not a lot of players can and he's so comfortable on the ball. Even in training, he's a nightmare to play against. He keeps the ball away from you and shields it. He's not very big but he's strong. He drifts in and out of players. Technically, he's right up there. He can use his left and right and he sees so many passes."
He wasn't the only one who was impressed by Zelalem, though. One of the star's coaches in the United States, Matt Pilkington, had this to say: "He dribbles like Iniesta and he passes like Xavi. I've thought like that for the past few years but I've been wary about saying it. I don't worry now."
Being compared to two of football's greatest ever midfielders is quite the honour. Things didn't quite pan out the way many expected for Zelalem, however. After a pair of loans out to Rangers and VVV-Venlo, he left Arsenal permanently in 2019 and joined Sporting Kansas City back home in the United States. He failed to find his feet with the side, though, and has since bounced around a variety of teams, never staying in one place for long.
Earlier this year, he signed with New Mexico United in USL Championship and has never managed to play a single game for the United States national team. He's not come close to realising the potential that so many expected from him.