Arsenal: Jack Wilshere contract rejection not the full story

Arsenal has a very unique position with a lot of their players, where they won’t be held hostage by them. Jack Wilshere, however, is different even than that.

There were – and still are – plenty of reports circulating that Jack Wilshere turned down an Arsenal contract this past summer. This is being reported again, just in case everyone forgot, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the year.

But unlike Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, whose contractual sagas end there, as they are likely trying to get out of the club any way possible, Jack Wilshere’s story is different. And to report it simply as “he turned down his contract and is leaving” doesn’t tell the whole story. Not even close.

Wilshere isn’t like Ozil and Alexis, who have bounced from club to club their entire life. Wilshere was raised at Arsenal, he was – and still is – given every opportunity to succeed at Arsenal and so long as there is a healthy Wilshere, there will be a place in the Gunners’ first team for him.

It’s not like he has been mistreated, or that he feels he is bigger than the club. There is only one reason that Wilshere would have turned down a contract, and it likely has to do with understanding his place on the team.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It makes sense that he would want to understand his own position and his own health a bit better before latching onto a deal. Again, to point out a contrast between Ozil and Alexis, there is no real hurry to lock down Wilshere, despite the ticking clock. He isn’t trying to finagle the club into a deal that only benefits him.

Instead, he is likely just feeling things out. Feeling out if this is where he wants to be. He isn’t going to sign some shock West Ham pre-contract in January without telling the club. His life with and respect the Gunners prevents anything like that from happening. This is a mutual effort. Both parties want this to work out, but they are doing their due diligence to make sure it can.

Thankfully, so long as he can stay healthy, it looks like it absolutely should work out. The midfield is a bit thin as it stands and given all the other competitions the Gunners will be involved in, having Wilshere around changes the game.

Next: Arsenal's 30 Greatest Players Ever

Expect this contract to happen. Again, this isn’t like Alexis or Ozil who are seeking exits. This is Jack Wilshere, who wants to stay.

Home/Arsenal News