Jack Wilshere has caused much debate over the last few years, from the controversial photos that show the midfielder smoking to the more recent outbursts at Arsenal’s last two victory parades.
The 23 year-old was fined by the FA for his participation in a chant with the Arsenal fans at the FA Cup victory parade. Wilshere led the anti-Spurs chant: “What do we think of Tottenham?” to which the fans replied “s**t”. The Gunners midfielder then followed that up with “What do we think of s**t”, to which the Arsenal fans reply “Tottenham”. This is a chant Arsenals fans are famous for singing at most, if not every game, given the fierce rivalry between the two sides.
The England midfielder famously sang the same song at last season’s victory parade following their victory over at Hull at Wembley. However, he was not fined on that occasion, but has been this season and the outcome caused a lot of talk about whether or not the decision was the correct one.
So, let’s look at the facts; modern day footballers are seen as role models, many young children want to grow up to be the next Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo and so in that sense, maybe Wilshere acted out of line, especially within the public eye. However, there is another side to this debate, the fans; the people who pay their well-earned money to go and watch these superstars live.
With the current football tickets prices going through the roof season upon season, fans are looking for more from their players than just 90 minutes of football. In recent times, it has been questioned whether players are too distant from the real world and the fans. Due to the high wage bills and celebrity status, the players can sometimes seem a world away from reality.
Fans are looking for a connection with the players, through the access of social media they now get that, to an extent. Followers can view photos from training, the changing rooms and even their personal family lives on occasions, something that leaves them craving more.
Which leads on us perfectly to the chant. At the exact moment Wilshere sang the chant, no Arsenal fan that was present at the parade would have stopped and thought the midfielder was acting out of line. The fans and players united as one to enjoy the moment together. This is the way footballers should be with their fans, interacting with them, bringing them even closer to their idols.
Wilshere later admitted the chant was nothing personal against Tottenham.
Footballers are role models, they should promote good behaviour to younger fans, but they are also grown men and the FA cannot simply fine a player every time they use foul language. No action is taken when a player swears on the pitch or in the tunnel as they mentally prepare themselves for the game ahead. Many will agree that there were a number of things he could have said which would have been far worse. There is of course the famous vine of Joe Hart screaming for a ball at the 2014 World Cup against Italy, with young fans present, as well as ballboys/girls. No action was taken against the England goalkeeper and rightly so.
Football is a game full of emotion and passion. As soon as we start taking that away and punishing players for it, is when we will start to lose the beauty of the game. The FA will push players further and further apart from the fans and this will certainly not benefit the game or relationship between the FA and football fans.
The situation revolving around Wilshere has been blown completely out of proportion. Would he have said the same words about another team, for example Manchester City? No, I highly doubt it. He is showing the fans that he and the players he the feel the same rivalry as they do.
It shows an unbelievable amount of dedication to Arsenal and full well displays his dedication and appreciation of the supporters. This is exactly what followers are looking for from their players, not bad behaviour or for the players to act out of line, but they want to know the players are on the same level as them.
It was a bad choice to punish Wilshere and one that could create more problems than it solves.
