There is nothing that gives an entire team a bigger lift than when a teammate returns from a long-term injury, and also puts in a brilliant shift - looking like he had not missed a single minute.
Arsenal skipper Thomas Vermaelen could not hide his delight at seeing Jack Wilshere make a successful comeback into the Arsenal squad, with the young midfielder being Arsenal's best player for the first 60 minutes. He was substituted for Theo Walcott just past the hour mark to a deafening round of applause from Arsenal supporters.
"He's an amazing player," Vermaelen said. "I think he can be one of the best midfielders in the world because what he did in his first year was great.
"And you could see he looked sharp. In midfield he was a lot on the ball and he can only get better in the following games and he can grow. What I've seen today is really positive."
Vermaelen, who himself was out for nearly an entire season due to injury, believes Wilshere needs to be handled with care in the next few games. "Everyone knows how good he can be and everyone wants him back for the England team as well but don't forget I've been out for eight months and he has been out for 14 or 15 so that's double," Vermaelen added. "I know how hard it will be.
"But what I saw today was positive and we have to be easy with him. It's going to be a long way to get up to the biggest level."
Vermaelen is happy to see Arsenal's injury list slowly but surely decreasing, with Bacary Sagna also returning successfully. "It's good that the boss now has choices, a lot of choices because Bacary is coming back and he still has Carl Jenkinson who did a great job at the beginning of the season," he said. "It's good that the boss has choices and the squad is getting bigger."
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger cautioned the fans to not expect too much too early from the talented 20-year-old. "I must say that danger is permanent in England," he said. "He was cheered a lot, but I don't think it was because people expected too much of him.
"It was just a happiness that he was back.
"People have to be a little bit patient to see the best of him again. Even if he's not 100 per cent today, he still shows in aspects of the game that he is a classy player.
"He is special. People who understand football understand that he is a good player. He has that typical thing where he can turn and take the ball forward, which is very difficult for a midfielder. He still lacks a little bit of ability to get away from people, but he will get that."
After the comeback, there have already been calls ringing out to include Wilshere in the England squad for the upcoming friendly against Sweden next month. However, Wenger hopes sense will prevail when it come to the handling of the youngster. "Jack should skip that," Wenger added. "What is important now is that he gets back to full fitness for this team. Once he is back he will play for England again.
"I will speak about it with (England manager) Roy (Hodgson), but what is important now is that he gets back to his level."
