Jack the lad comes of age for Arsenal

ARSENE WENGER promised the Emirates Stadium would play host to a coming of age last night.

And so it did, with Jack Wilshere demonstrating that, at the age of just 19, he has earned the right to regarded as a midfielder capable of standing out in the lauded company of Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Wenger had hoped for a more comprehensive celebration, however, a celebration of his side’s maturing from a five-year work in progressinto the real deal. He will have to wait a little longer for that particular party, even if the scoreline suggested they might at last be near to reaching parity with Europe’s best.