Arsenal and Jack Wilshere must be allowed to move on, says Charlie Nicholas
Thursday 11 June 2015 11:01, UK
Sky Sports expert Charlie Nicholas feels Arsenal and Jack Wilshere should be allowed to move on from the player’s expletive-filled comments at the club’s open-top bus tour to celebrate winning the FA Cup final.
Wilshere has until 6pm on Wednesday to answer an FA charge of misconduct after he made anti-Tottenham comments in the wake of their 4-0 victory over Aston Villa at Wembley.
The player himself feels he has been harshly treated over the incident but following a similar outburst after Arsenal beat Hull in last year’s FA Cup final, he may not escape with a warning, as he did last year.
Former Gunners striker Nicholas has some sympathy for Wilshere though and agrees too much has been made of the situation.
“Jack has gone through a pretty testing time over the past two years. He hasn’t fulfilled his potential yet and part of that is because of his injuries,” said Nicholas.
“But Jack’s a young, strong man and he’s still fighting – plus he’s never complained about the situation.
No one’s been hurt, he has apologised, and Arsenal will reprimand him and I think it’s a matter that could have been handled internally.
“The club just need to say to him ‘you’ve made a bit of a fool of yourself again, but can we move on from this quickly?’ and that’s that.
“Next time someone puts a microphone in front of him I’m sure he’ll handle it better or maybe even just step to one side.
“I do believe he’s got the right mentality – he’s certainly got the capabilities – to be at Arsenal for some time, but he’s got to understand these things and he will learn.
“He just needs to mature a bit.
“Other young players have made mistakes this season – like Raheem Sterling with the laughing gas – but that was done and dusted in three or four weeks, and I imagine this will be the same.
“No one’s been hurt, he has apologised, and Arsenal will reprimand him and I think it’s a matter that could have been handled internally.
“Arsenal should be able to just fine him – it doesn’t even have to be a week’s wages – maybe £10,000 or so and then donate that to the charity of their choice and we move on.”
