Jack Wilshere says he can still envisage himself playing for Arsenal again, but admits his future is less than certain.
The England midfielder will have just 12 months left on his contract when he ends his loan spell with Bournemouth, and he says if it comes down to it, he’s prepared to leave to play regular football.
Wilshere passed up the chance to fight for a place in the nascent Arsenal midfield this season, preferring to drop down and play for Eddie Howe’s side.
Speaking on his return to the England squad, he said of what might transpire, “It’s difficult for me to say because I love Arsenal and I’ve had great times there, and they’ve been great for me, and I can still see myself playing there.
“But who knows what the future holds? I’ve got a year left when I go back there.
“At the moment I’m just trying to have a season where it puts me in a good position at the end of the year, I’m improved as a player and Arsenal want me back, and we’ll see where we go from there.
“I always thought to myself ‘of course I love Arsenal’ but if there comes a time where I have to leave, then I have to leave, you know? If I go back and I’m not going to be playing, then, of course, I have to think about things.
“But at the moment I’m concentrating on Bournemouth. I want to put myself in a position where I go back next year and I’m a better player, and I’m fitter, and I can prove to people I can play week in, week out, and I’m ready for the challenge.”
The 24 year old has made 8 appearances for Bournemouth, and is enjoying being back on the pitch week in, week out.
“I missed the fight of the Premier League, being in big games and making a difference for a team,” he said.
“I wanted to feel that again and almost fall back in love with the game.”
“At the moment I am just trying to have a season where it puts me in a good position at the end of the year, that I have improved as a player and Arsenal want me back,
“I could have stayed at Arsenal, been the player that comes on now and then off the bench, starts in the odd cup game, but I wanted more than that. I’ve been injured for too long and I want to prove to people my ability.”
I would actually like to see Wilshere given a new contract. Looking at our midfield, whenever we have Santi out we struggle. Personally feel that Jack is the midfield option we have that’s a suitable long-term replacement. He brings the ball forward, has excellent control, is willing to contribute defensively and can always find a killer pass. Also he’s a Gooner! Hopefully see him return but needs to prove himself at Bournemouth first!
100% agreed. He isn’t anywhere near Santi’s level yet, though, and I don’t think he’ll get there playing for Bournemouth.
Xhaka, Elneny, Coq are all good players – perhaps not great – but none play Santi’s sort of game. Really hurt us against Spuds.
You take that back! Coq not great? That’s crazy talk.
In the words of the president-elect: our Coq is massive, absolutely huge, we have biggest Coq of them all. (Sorry couldn’t help it)
I don’t think he’s a kick in the backside off Cazorla in truth, and I think with regular football he can surpass Cazorla. I really hope he can have a productive, injury free season for Bournemouth and come back to the squad in a position to fight for a place. I do think he needs to be realistic about the number of good players Arsenal have in midfield but I really don’t see why (with plenty of football this season) he can’t come back to become a major part of the midfield for years to come.
I honestly think this has been more about contract and playing time, which in turn = salary level. I feel that Arsenal have not offered him what he wants because they are concerned his body is not up to the task. This loan has been his answer to that. “I’ll show you I can do a full season!” I understand where he is coming from but for me it has been to the detriment of the team. Basically, “yes” he is the obvious replacement for Santi and also, he would be great in the role that Iwobi plays in. We… Read more »
Please stop this bs about him being anything like Cazorla. He’s nothing like Cazorla, starting from between his ears and all the way down to his right foot. But mainly just stop at his head.
Stop insulting Cazorla folks, a couple of games for England in deep midfield don’t mean shit.
Nobody is guaranteed a starting place at this level, especially after two years in injury room limbo. I don’t get it how a player of his quality and bravery on the pitch is scared of competition.
I wonder if Arsenal are going to let it get to the last 12 months.
Can’t really argue with anything he said, if he’s fully fit and is a starter for Arsenal, happy days, if Arsene doesn’t fancy him, then move on.
Would be a bit gutted to see him go though, for some reason I always felt like he was one of us, one of our own, always someone we could relate to, just an average bloke who happened to be blessed by the football gods with unbelievable skill and ability.
Judging from what he’s said, making it at Arsenal is what he wants. If we can only offer him a bit part role then he’ll go elsewhere and I wouldn’t blame him for that.
It’s kinda up to him to work his arse off (Sure, at Bournemouth maybe, now he’s there) and prove that he deserves that place rather than just have it handed to him on a plate. It’s up to him to keep the likes of Cazorla on the bench by being consistently better than them whenever he plays.
It’s up to him. I for one _would_ blame him for not wanting to fight for a place at a club he supposedly loves.
The reason we offer him a bit part role is because he gets injured before he’s fit enough to command a regular place. It’s been a vicious circle for several seasons. Hopefully he learns to avoid those crazy lunges. Hopefully he learns closer control of the ball. And hopefully he returns in one piece, and is able to stay fit enough to warrant him staying. Otherwise, it should be “So long, Jack”. We need to think and act more in the best interest of the club; just like the players act in their best interest.
Also take into account the small matter of who will be in charge of Arsenal next season.
This is doing my head in. What does he expect? Be injured for the best part of 3 years, prat about in shisha bars and nightclubs then walk back into the team? What happened to earning a place by doing your job? He’s a good player but frankly, if he’s going to trash talk every time a journalist asks a question then hey, sign for Bournemouth. All he has to say is: I want to prove my fitness. End of – he’s turning his nose up at “coming off the bench” and “playing the odd cup game”. Instead he should… Read more »
he’s had too much too soon. I don’t think he’s showed the consistency in play and the ability to stay healthy to be Santi’s heir. I think we’ll be buying a creative/central playmaker if Santi goes.
Some one once told me he would end up playing for West ham and that was about 5 yrs ago. I was like’yeah right’ but now does not seem so far fetched. Hope he is not one that loves being the big fish in a small pond
Got to agree, it was only the first few games of the season that saw him on the bench. I think by now, he could have comfortably started a few Prem games where Xhaka was out and Santi got injured.
I would like to have seen stay to at least January before making a decision on a loan. He really shouldn’t worry about England, his first thoughts should also be on the club!
Nice name, reminds me of standing on the North bank..
If Wilshere is running, instead of fighting, then this loan move has been the perfect litmus test.
It is proof positive he was in the comfort zone and doesn’t have the bottle to be an Arsenal player.
I hope he hardens up.
But, if he doesn’t, don’t let the door hit ya bum on the way out.
He clearly loves the shirt but that isn’t sufficient (cue Poldy). For me he’s a bit like Walcott: capable of great things (THAT goal!) but regular bouts of suspect thinking too…
The loan gives him the chance to shine but I suspect that Granit will take the Santi seat.
I’d da arsene should evaluate his performance with Bournemouth at the end of the season, if it was decent, give him a new contract, but really his performance in Bournemouth should be the real litmus test.
This is a pretty encouraging statement from Jack.
He clearly still dreams of being a first teamer for the Gunners but the only way he will force his way into the team is by having a stellar season with the Cherries.
It hasn’t happened yet – and if it doesn’t for the rest of the season then maybe it’s a good indication that we should let him go.
Fingers crossed for you Jacky boy!
Has anyone seen him play for Bournemouth yet? What’s he been like?
I’ve seen about half his games, and to be honest, he hasn’t looked great to me.
He’s been good on the ball and all, but playing at the top of the midfield triangle, he rarely seems to actually get the ball, and looks a bit disconnected from the rest of the team.
Jack should have a look at Theo’s start to the season – left out for pretty much the latter half of last season, berated by sections of fans and left out of the England Euro 2016 squad. What did he do? Knuckle down, earn a spot in the team and become our top scorer. Yes, Jack needed game time, but I’m not a fan of this feeling of entitlement he seems to convey that he should be playing games. Earn your place Jack, would a player who had a decent but unspectacular season for Bournemouth automatically get a starting spot… Read more »
I rate Jack, his ability to move between the lines and open defences is superb. Having said that, he made a monumental decision in the summer to put himself and his own interests over Arsenal’s. He could’ve backed his fitness and ability and fought for a place but he took the easy option simply because he was scared of not pleasing Allardyce. He wasn’t treated unfairly, he was involved across pre-season and in the early games but life at Arsenal had necessarily moved on whilst he spent another season on the treatment table and competition was fierce. I think he… Read more »
Get off Jack’s back! He didn’t ‘snub the opportunity to stay and fight for his place’ – he made a sensible decision to temporarily go somewhere he can virtually guarantee first team football to both build up his strength and prove he’s injury free. If he’d stayed, he wouldn’t have had this opportunity. I hope he’s mesmerising at Bournemouth and that he comes back to us fully fit and ready to do battle with our other midfielders. This man will be an Arsenal legend.
You are aware that he was in the squad for every competitive game this season before he decided to leave and played in two thirds of them?
And how many matches did he start in?
I believe your point was that he wouldn’t have an opportunity, no? Do you not believe that including him and playing him 2 our of 3 times amounts to opportunities? Or should he have simply be guaranteed to start every game, irrespective of form or fitness?
“Hit the road, Jack and don’t come back no more no more no more” (famous tune).
Thanks for clarifying that as a famous tune.
I hope this is not the onset of Debuchy-itis and he stays to fight for his shirt.
Arseblog…… Your Blog today……well said!
Don’t leave us for politics plse…….I’m serious…. You will receive offers in that direction , we can’t afford to lose you.
Jack? Jack who?
I jest of course but today he’s off radar!!!!!!
Repeating a bit what’s been said above, but a player who’s spent two years or so permanently injured is not going to walk back into either a top club side or the national team; unless there’s a real dearth of options. There’s no doubting Jack’s talent, but his fitness record is atrocious and gobbing off like this isn’t going to win over many. He has a sense of entitlement, understandable to a point having been at the club since he was a nipper but his unreliability, associated with his knack for attracting trouble, his utter lack of common sense (smoking… Read more »
I think he made the right decision. Sure he could stay within his comfort sphere at Arsenal and play the odd game and go about his usual business, But its to his credit that he did the ballsy thing and stepped out of his comfort zone to push himself.
Will also do him good do experience a working mans club where every point is head down, sweaty brow and hard work. For a kid that grew up “spoiled” never knowing anything other than Arsenal it will surely help build some character.
Christ, he’s gone to play football at Bournemouth Football Club not been sent down a mine!
I think in many ways Wilshere doesn’t have the teamwork characteristics that you need for the game. There are players who work and play for the team and who fight for their place. Wilshere has no fight in him, he clearly thinks he deserves to start. This is a problem in English football and with English players and is why the national team don’t do well. It’s the culture here in the UK. Wenger likes humility and team work. Wilshere can maybe be that player. With this, Nasri style I-deserve-to-start attitude he will not be successful anywhere he goes. Prove… Read more »
For fucks sake Blogs ! I’ve just read today’s lead pice and you sound like some Hollywood air head luvvie, sobbing into his/her bank account. Get a grip.
We’ll have to start calling you Yoko Blogs !
I agree. I come here for football banter and the arse. Fuck politics on a football site.
It’s his site, he can choose to write as he wishes. You have the power to decide whether you want to read it or not. No need for insults.
No shit. It’s called feedback. He’s always asked for feedback regarding the site. I’ve been here for a long time, this is hands down the best site on the internet. Start mixing politics in, and it’s all over.
It seems like a very few minority had a problem with it. It’s a major world event. On top of that, it’s during an interlull. If blogs wants to add in a bit of his opinion on a matter, he should able to do it. As i said, just don’t read the paricular blog if you don’t like it.
English lads need to learn to at least have one good season before they speak. Theo, Ox, Jack get good games in succession then they start to talk a lot. Have a good good season and then talk
In fairness I dont think he has said anything wrong here. He seems to reiterate that he wants to come back and be wanted by the manager. No issue with that. As rich as our midfield looks, we’re in November and there isn’t a nailed down partnership in that position, and if that’s still the case at the end of the season then he has an opportunity, especially with Cazorla still (strangely) running out of contract. My worry for him is that, like many of our fans, I’ve watched a few of his games, and despite some nice touches, from… Read more »
Aka “Wilshere voices commitment to fightimg for place (but we wanted to trigger you, so..y’know clickbait)”
I think his contract will very much depend on Ramsey’s situation. Personally, and I don’t know why, but I think Ramsey will be more likely to leave than Wilshere. I hope I am wrong and we can somehow accommodate both, but just intuition says it may come down to one or the other … (certainly hope it’s not both)
I do too, I think Ramsey has long hankered after a move abroad and I think he’ll see next summer as the right time having done 9 years with Arsenal. I don’t think it’s anything against Arsenal, more that he wants to test himself abroad like his Welsh mate before he gets too old and I wouldn’t criticise him for that. Personally i’d rather have a completely fit Wilshere than Ramsey but I suspect Wilshere’s only hope of getting a career at Arsenal now is if Wenger leaves in the summer and the next boss rates him.
Can’t this guy just shut up? He looks like a fat alcoholic, and he hasn’t done anything for years other than be loved by us and England in general for being one of the great hopes.
I mean, seriously, do your talking on the pitch. Just shut up and get through the season your entitled little prick.
Bit aggressive! Jack’s a gooner through and through, so give him the benefit of the doubt, and fingers crossed he can make a come back, and with a stronger attitude.
If he can’t prove his fitness, he won’t be a big loss.
He is a way overrated player. Average ball control, selfish and often a poor decision maker. Has plenty of heart though.
Sums up English players
I find it very hard to judge Jack as a player as it seems he hasn.t had a consistent run of injury free football in years. I.ve probably seen him player a lot more rubbish games than genuinely good ones but is that because he isn.t good enough or wasn.t able to find full form and fitness.
My hope is that he has a very good season with Bournemouth and then doesn.t try to play silly buggers over a new contract with us. He is a Gooner and I for one would to see him become a legend for us
Love to see*
Prone to injury, poor decision maker, inconsistent.