English midfielder Jack Wilshere has confirmed he will be leaving Arsenal after almost 18 years at the club as a youth player and senior team player. Wilshere had a private conversation with new Arsenal coach Unai Emery about his future and it is believed that Wilshere does not have a role in Emery’s plan for the club.
Wilshere made 197 appearances for the Gunners but his time in the club was plagued by injuries that never allowed him to hit the ground running and fulfil his potential as a top player. Wilshere who is a free agent this summer will no doubt have a lot of clubs coveting for his signature.
In the past few seasons, he has proved that he can remain fit and play a number of games consistently. However, I very much doubt that top English sides will be clamouring for his signature because there are still question marks about him with his injuries and as a midfielder.
Wilshere will most likely end up in some middle table Premier League team but it would be better if he plays for a club outside England – for the experience. I do feel English players like to stay in the comfort zone of England and are not well travelled enough to have certain adaptations in their game – same for English managers as well. Spain will be my most favoured destination for him.
Wilshere is still 26 and he has a good 6 years left in his career if he stays disciplined and maintains his fitness. I feel there is more to come from him and although he missed the World Cup for England, he will still feature for the Three Lions in forthcoming tournaments before he retires.
Unai Emery is gradually building the Arsenal team he wants. He has signed German and Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The 26-year-old is highly rated and has made over 230 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen. He is also the youngest goalkeeper to feature in the Champions League at age 19 and 193 days – which happened in 2011. Leno joins former Juventus wing-back Stephan Lichsteiner as the second signing for the club so far.
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