Why Arsene Wenger Should Quickly Arrive At A Conclusion On Jack Wilshere’s Future
The transfer window is just half cooked but clubs around Europe are now looking to settled down ahead of the new campaign. English outfit Arsenal will be busy this weekend with the Emirates Cup, where they will face RB Leipzig, Sevilla and Benfica in a mini-tournament to get themselves ready for the bigger feast.
The Gunners have a decent squad going into this competition, with most of their first team stars back in training. One player who is now back with the first team, coming back from an injury is English midfielder Jack Wilshere.
The Arsenal Academy product made a stunning debut to his senior career but in the last few seasons, he has faded away from the plans of Arsene Wenger, so much so that he was sent out on a season-long loan to AFC Bournemouth last season, to help him revive his form.
Having picked up just 2 assists in 22 starts in the league last season, he failed to impress Eddie Howe, who decided not to take him on a permanent basis. His injury history does not read well and he is just back from a niggle he picked up late last season, that kept him out of Arsenal’s pre-season tour to Australia and China.
However, he is now back in full training with the first team, pushing Wenger into a dilemma about his future. Wilshere continues to be linked with an exit from the Emirates, as a part of the exodus that is expected in the next couple of weeks. But does he have any future at the club?
At 25, the Arsenal man has 34 national team appearances and 146 Premier League appearances to his name, but he still has a number of issues in his game that he needs to work on.
Known for his ability to control the game in the centre of the midfield, Wilshere is a gifted player with the ability to make quick decisions. However, over the years, he has failed to adapt to the Premier League, showing no strength and determination. Add to it his injury issues, Wilshere is yet to realise his potential that he showed at the highest stage in his debut season at the Emirates.
Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny are all fighting for one place alongside Granit Xhaka in the midfield for Arsenal next season and Wilshere will surely find it hard to break into the first team as of now. But Wenger is also looking at a first team option in the transfer market, to improve the mettle in the middle of the park, which will leave Wilshere with no chance.
He still has the potential and another loan spell could yet get the best out of him but at the moment, Arsenal’s best bet is to give him his space and allow him to find a new home. However, a buy-back clause will surely be on the mind of the manager.