Can Jack Wilshere shine as a defensive midfielder?

Arsenal have spent the majority of the summer targeting a player able to play in the midfield anchor role, with the likes Morgan Schneiderlin, Lars Bender and Real Madrid star Sami Khedira all linked with a switch to Arsenal. The squad lacks an expert player in that role, explaining Arsenal's difficulties in midfield battles at times last season.

As the Squawka Comparison Matrix shows, Wilshere's defensive statistics per 90 minutes played do not compare well to those who naturally play in that role, especially Bender and Schneiderlin, who played significantly more football than Khedira last season. 

They both won far more tackles and made more interceptions per minute. This is key, as one of Wilshere's most important jobs in occupying this role would be to break up opposition moves, something that is clearly important given the away displays against Chelsea and Liverpool last season

On the other hand, the England international's key pass statistics shows that he can be an effective influence in creating play from deep.

 This means that he might still be useful in the role when Arsenal are playing against perceived "weaker" sides, as he could play incisive passes to carve open an opposition defense.

 However, this doesn't make up for the fact that he's not built to do what Arsenal need most. All in all, Arsenal clearly need a specialist in the role, considering their struggles when facing top sides who can break effectively last season