Is Jack Wilshere’s career at Arsenal over?

You may have seen Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp make a comment about Jack Wilshere at the weekend, with the ex professional footballer believing that Wilshere has no career at Arsenal to go back to. Wilshere is of course only on loan at Bournmouth for the season, after all three parties agreed that it was in the best interests of the player to spend some time away from the Emirates. It’s vital that during his loan spell away from the club, Wilshere builds on his fitness with regular playing time on the south coast. The midfielder managed to complete a full 90 for Bournemouth at the weekend, his first full match for two years. Wilshere’s last full 90 minutes on the pitch came against Manchester City in 2014, but injuries have continued to rule him out for months on end ever since.

Redknapp’s comments summed up quite simply suggest that Wilshere’s chances of getting back into the Arsenal side were done and dusted. Even if it wasn’t for the Englishman’s persistent injuries, Arsenal’s strength and depth in midfield would still likely be an issue for the player, with Wilshere being just one of six first team central midfielders currently on the books.

Wilshere himself however hasn’t given up quite yet and he seems to think that if he has a strong season with the Cherries, then he’ll find himself back at his boyhood side in no time.

Wilshere told the media yesterday: “I don’t know where he [Redknapp] got that from. He is entitled to his opinion. I’ve not really thought about that too much. I’m just trying to get back to what I was, enjoying my football and playing week-in, week-out and the Tottenham game was a massive step towards that.

“So I’ve not really thought about that so how other people can comment on it…listen, he’s entitled to his opinion. If he doesn’t see me going back to Arsenal then that’s up to him but I haven’t thought about that.”

To be fair to Wilshere he says that he hasn’t really given his future any thought, but you would expect that the boy who has grown up living and breathing Arsenal, would want to return as a Gunner next season. Whether or not he gets the chance to do so is another matter and at the end of the day he will need to prove not just his fitness but his talent to the team as well if he wishes to become a regular starter at the Emirates. Playing time should be the most important aspect of the game for any professional footballer and it seems that Wilshere recognises that. But does that mean that he’d be willing to leave his boyhood side, in order to get regular playing time elsewhere?

If Wilshere can prove this season that he’s past his persistent injuries and that he’s built on his fitness, then I think there is hope that he may be able to revive his Arsenal career. However if he struggles for fitness and doesn’t show his value at Bournemouth this season then I think it may be a sudden end of the road for Wilshere at Arsenal.

By AH