round thoughts | on the beautiful game

Jack Wilshere’s return to the Arsenal squad is the best news for a team that is trying to play smart football.

As written here before – Arsenal, in the age of expensive superstars of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, can only win the league (or any other trophies) by having the smartest team on the field.

Arsenal can no longer compete for the stars and therefore cannot play with the most talented individuals. However, with Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere Arsenal have one of the smartest midfield-trios in the world. They have the ability to hold onto the ball with their passing ability and intelligent movement.

Arsenal can now win games much like Spain won their titles, not by being the fastest or the strongest, but by being smart, patient and calculated – Spain took the sting out of the rivals’ strength and energy. They beat them with their brains.

Arsenal, with Wilshere and Cazorla as “Xavi and Iniesta” and Arteta as “Sergio Busquets”, can now be smart, patient and calculated.

Arsenal can now be the most intelligent team on the field.