He was 25 yards out, running on to the ball, altering his stride so that he would meet Giroud's lay-off with maximum force. Chico Flores, the Swansea centre-half, vainfully sought to intervene but Wilshere was the master of the situation. He pushed off the ground with his right foot, his left dropping through the cold air and making firm contact with the ball.
The accuracy was enough to place the ball past Vorm; what also guaranteed its progress was the sheer power Wilshere imparted, making the ball accelerate, leaving Swansea's keeper stretching out a left hand but encountering only thin air. It was a marvellous strike, embodying all the timing and strength in the Arsenal No 10.
On the day that the Football Association celebrated its past 150 years, the 21-year-old Wilshere also gave a glimmer of hope for England's future. This goal highlighted his technique. This game showed his will to win, his hunger to take on and suppress determined opposition.
Michael Laudrup, Swansea's manager who speaks with vast authority on what makes top players, was right afterwards to urge restraint in the eulogising of Wilshere, although the midfielder is not the type to get carried away by flattering headlines. Wilshere also has good people around him, as well as a sensible, experienced manager in Arsène Wenger.
Since returning from that long injury on Oct 27, Wilshere has made 17 appearances, and Wenger has talked of giving him a break. He needs one, yet Arsenal need him badly. If only they had more players like Wilshere, blessed with his dynamism.
Others sought to inspire Arsenal on Wednesday night, notably Santi Cazorla and occasionally Theo Walcott, but Wilshere was always the heartbeat as well as the brains behind Arsenal's better moves in a game of increasing excitement.
Some of the early entertainment had been provided by Wenger's attempts to do up his jacket, a prerequisite on a freezing evening.
The game really gained some zip after the break but an open first half was enjoyable enough, lifting Arsenal fans early on when Giroud twice went close.
Wilshere clearly relished his passing duel with Leon Britton, soon taking control. He soon teed up a chance for Abou Diaby, whose low strike was well blocked by Kyle Bartley, the former Arsenal defender who impressed for so long alongside Flores.
Walcott had started on the right, looking to run at and past Dwight Tiendalli, also trying his luck down the inside-right channel. After 21 minutes, Walcott escaped from Flores who was judged to have fouled the winger. Contact seemed minimal. It presented the left-footed Vermaelen with an inviting opportunity but his free-kick clipped the Swansea wall and deflected out. From Walcott's corner, Francis Coquelin had a low shot held by Vorm. A theme was developing.
Laudrup had rested some of his leading lights, including the likes of Michu and Pablo Hernandez until midway through the second half. Yet there was all the usual intelligent movement expected of Swansea, the thought in possession, albeit mainly on the counter. After 25 minutes, Nathan Dyer eschewed the opportunity to shoot from the edge of the area, laying the ball left to Routledge, whose cross was headed against the bar by Bartley.
Arsenal responded. Inevitably it was Wilshere leading the charge through midfield, guiding the ball into promising pastures with his left foot. One break saw him enter the Swansea box, the ball eventually falling to Walcott whose shot was blocked. The half closed with Arsenal so close to taking the lead but Vorm stopped Vermaelen's shot.
The atmosphere improved after the break. The attendance was given as 58,359 but that was tickets sold, not taking into account how many season-ticket holders stayed away. A more accurate figure would have been around the 50,000 mark. They saw Arsenal raise their game in the second half. Walcott shot wide. Giroud headed wide.
Arsenal were swooping as busily as the many Pied Wagtails who roost in the Emirates. Wilshere kept scheming, kept looking to play in Walcott and Giroud, even testing Vorm himself. The Emirates sighed when a Walcott strike thudded into the chest of Danny Graham, who was standing on the Swansea line.
The siege intensified. Wilshere teased a wonderful pass through to Giroud, who caused exasperation amongst Arsenal fans with his wasteful response, the ball played tamely towards Vorm. Swansea broke out, Sung-yeung Ki almost catching Wojciech Szczesny out but the attention was swiftly down the other end. Walcott's glancing header hit the post and bounced out.
Still Arsenal poured forward, still they battered against Swansea's backdoor. Vorm repelled a Walcott shot. Finally, Arsenal had their reward. Fittingly, it was Wilshere killing off the Swans and setting up a trip to the land of the Seagulls. "One-nil to the Arsenal" was heard, followed by "Super Jack Wilshere".
This has been a season of many frustrations for Arsenal but Wilshere's return has certainly lifted the mood.
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