Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere on loan at Bournemouth
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Does Jack Wilshere's future lie at Arsenal?

Jack Wilshere is due to return to the Emirates when his loan move expires in the summer, but doubts have been raised over his long term future at Arsenal with questions being raised about him even being offered a new deal.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted last November that Jack Wilshere will be offered a new deal, but with 18 months remaining on his contract, no attempts or negotiations for have been started.

Bournemouth

Wilshere, who turned 25 on January 1, has impressed while at Bournemouth. He has an 85% passing accuracy, created 25 chances and registered one assist so far this season. Despite not scoring, he has  hit the woodwork 6 times in his 18 appearances this season. Crucially, he has been playing regularly which has helped him get back into the England squad.

Wilshere has made more starts this season for Bournemouth than in any season since the 2013/14 campaign. He finally looks to have gained his fitness as his hunt for regular first team football seems to be a successful venture after being sidelined due to a number of injuries for a very long time.

His current Bournemouth teammate and former Gunners’ player Benik Afobe did reveal last month that Jack himself isn’t quite sure about where his future lies. It is an important decision for him to make.

Interest

Arsenal however, do need to act on this situation as early as possible amidst increasing interest in the English midfielder. Everton, Roma, AC Milan and Manchester City have all had an interest in the past, and his decent form for the Cherries will certainly regain their interest.

Barcelona legend Xavi hailed Jack Wilshere as “the future of English football”. He also said “With all due respect, he certainly doesn’t play the English way”. So it would be quite foolish of Arsenal to let a player of such calibre leave.

With Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil’s future at the club still not certain, Jack Wilshere could have an influential and important role in the Arsenal team next season if the duo were to leave.

However, at 25, he’s at an age where he needs to constantly be playing football week in week out. This was the primary  reason why he left out on loan this season in the first place. And to win a place and be the first choice of the manager amongst options in the midfield like Özil (if he stays), Cazorla, Xhaka, Ramsey, Coquelin, Elneny and even Alex Oxlade Chamberlain who has impressed in the central midfield role recently, might give him second thoughts.

Injuries and Acolades

Injuries have been a major problem during the midfielders career so far. He hasn’t played much football and missed many months and years due to injuries. But when he has played, he has looked one of the most promising midfielders out there in terms of potential.

He made his first team debut in 2008, becoming Arsenal’s youngest ever league debutant at the age of 16 years, 256 days.

Despite being just 25 years old, Wilshere has already earned a number of accolades. These include the PFA Young Player Of The Year award, selection to the 2010-11 PFA Team Of The Year, and Arsenal’s Player of the Season award, as voted for by fans for his performances in his first full campaign for Arsenal during the 2010-11 season.

But since then, it has all been about frequent and long lasting injuries.

So the question still remains, will Jack Wilshere sign a new contract with Arsenal? We will have to wait until the end of the season to find that out.

Written by our guest writer, Arbaaz Shaikh. Do you agree? Should Wilshere go back to Arsenal? Do Arsenal need Wilshere? Leave a comment below and share this article on social media.

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