Amidst all the speculations of him leaving the Emirates this summer, Jack Wilshere has finally returned to training at London Colney and one cannot deny that it has always been a pleasurable sight for the fans. Despite the poor form, even poorer fitness and uncertain comments on his future with the club while on loan with Bournemouth, Wilshere has remained one of Arsenal’s best players to come out of the academy.
The little-framed midfielder has always been a fighter on and off the pitch. No matter how many memes and criticisms the social media shower over him, getting a setback that frequent and coming back is never easy and especially with the short life span of a football professional.
Arsenal and Arsene Wenger both need a quality midfielder to save them from the crisis that is coming next season. Even after the arrival of Sead Kolasinac from Bundesliga side FC Schalke and Alexandre Lacazette from Ligue 1 side AS Lyon, the Gunners are far from a complete side. The void left by the long-term injury of Santiago Cazorla has been irreplaceable and Wenger is desperate to get one to save his managerial career.
The Frenchman signed a two-year contract extension with the club despite wide disapproval from the fans as well as critics and yet another season of failure would mean the end of his more than two decade’s long reign at the London club. Arsenal too are walking on a thin rope. Despite falling out of the Champions League spot, the Gunners haven’t lost their brand value, but a similar outcome next season could spell a huge blow to their foundation.
Wilshere will have a huge decision to make on his future at the club. Either he would be willing to stay and fight for his place and take the club back to its lost stature or escape while there is still some value of his game in the market. Wenger has seen the player very close to him and could give him yet another chance to prove himself. And given that World Cup is coming up, this would definitely be one of his crucial years.
Despite having a comparatively weaker side at Vitality Stadium, Wilshere did a brilliant job under Eddie Howe and was also voted fans’ player of the month last November. However, injuries have never left his side and a more or less perfect season came to an end with a fractured left foot last season.
He would only hope that he stays fit next season as Arsenal play in the Europa League where he is likely to get more chances if he remains out of the infirmary.
