Jack Wilshere is Arsenal through and through after joining the club’s academy aged nine. However, his contract expires in the summer and talks over a new deal have stalled because he is unwilling to take a pay cut to remain in North London. With that in mind, here’s why it’s time for Arsenal and Jack Wilshere to part ways.
After a season-long loan spell at Bournemouth which was cut short by injury, Jack Wilshere returned to Arsenal with a point to prove this season. Was he still good enough to be a first-team player at Arsenal? For the first few months of the season, it seemed like the answer was no. Wilshere played in the Europa League but only made substitute appearances in the Premier League.
Finally, on the 13th of December last year against West Ham, Wilshere made his first league start for Arsenal since 15 May 2016. He then started eight consecutive Premier League games, completing the full 90 minutes on each occasion, after forcing his way back into the first team.
During that run, he put in a man of the match performance against Crystal Palace in December and scored his only league goal of the season (so far) against Chelsea. Before that strike, he has not scored a Premier League goal since he found the back of the next against West Bromwich Albion all the way back in May 2015.
Wilshere has made 19 league appearances this season, with eight of those coming as a substitute. While it was great to see him back playing for the club that he loves at first, it has now become clear that he is not as crucial to Arsenal as he once was.
His recent performances have been well below-par and at this stage in the season, Arsenal can’t afford to be carrying any baggage. The England international was lucky not to see red against Southampton after grabbing and ripping Jack Stephens’ shirt. Stephens was sent off for reacting by shoving Wilshere to the ground. He was also one of Arsenal’s worst players in both legs against CSKA Moscow in the Europa League.
His form has dropped lately and he is giving the ball away carelessly in key positions, and failing to find his team-mates.
In the second leg against CSKA Moscow, Mohamed Elneny put in a man of the match performance, providing the assist for both Arsenal goals. Wilshere, on the other hand, was withdrawn after 69 minutes and replaced by defender Calum Chambers.
Arsenal can cope without Wilshere and the fact that they are holding firm on their contract offer which would see his salary cut is proof of that.
With Aaron Ramsey’s contract also approaching its final year, it is clear that the Welshman is the midfielder that Arsenal should go all out to keep.
Everton are reportedly willing to pay Wilshere the wage he wants and that would be a good move for him. After 17 years at Arsenal, it’s time for Jack Wilshere to move on.
