The chasm between the career Jack Wilshere could have had and the one he had is a gaping disappointment.
Jack Wilshere looked as if he was on the path to becoming Arsenal’s left-footed Steven Gerrard and England’s hero.
That was over ten years ago now, and injuries have blighted one of the most prodigious talents Arsenal ever produced.
After 2 and a half years at West Ham, the Hammers ended his contract with 8 months remaining and Jack Wilshere has yet to find another team.
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Wilshere’s brittle ankles were never going to stand up to the rigour of a David Moyes managed team, and he knew as much.
“I just felt we were going into big games after lockdown where we were defending most of the time, and he wanted to play Dec [Rice] and [Tomas] Soucek in midfield and they were brilliant, so I couldn’t argue with that,” he said.
“But I felt that there wasn’t really a place for a technical player who wanted to get on the ball and make things happen.
“It was more about getting onto second balls and intercepting play.”
Former Arsenal teammate Mikel Arteta, current Arsenal manager, was asked about the possibility of reuniting with Wilshere.
“We haven’t analysed that situation,” said Arteta.
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“What I can tell you about Jack is what I’ve said in the past, as a player, as a teammate and as a person I rate him really really highly.
“Unfortunately, at the moment we haven’t looked at that. We are focused on the players we have and we’re trying to do the best we can with them.”
It’s hard to see where Wilshere ends up next. The fixture heavy lower-tiers of English football will hardly be suitable for him. He could perhaps go to the MLS or something in that area to get away from the spotlight. Although, he seems determined that he can still make it in the Premier League.
“Although I am of course frustrated that I was not able to fully showcase what I’m capable of at West Ham I remain confident that I can contribute at the very top of the game.”
