Arsenal: Yes, Marouane Fellaini could spell Jack Wilshere’s end

Arsenal are being linked with a free-agent move for Marouane Fellaini. His addition, if it comes to pass, does indeed spell out the inevitable, Jack Wilshere’s end.

Per reports that initially stemmed from French publication Foot 365, Arsenal are attempting to sign Marouane Fellaini to a contract this summer, with the Manchester United midfielder’s deal with the club expiring on June 30th, in a little under four weeks’ time.

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It was hardly the most exciting news when it broke on Monday afternoon. And the reception with which the rumour has been met has been indicative of the overall perspective of Fellaini’s game, a limited midfielder who offers little more than a peculiar aerial threat, vast experience in the Premier League, and positional versatility as depth.

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While it remains to be seen if Arsenal see Fellaini the same way, or whether they feel that they can re-conjure his Everton form from yesteryear, which is possible given the belief that Unai Emery is a fan of the Belgian, you would hope that this signing is purely for depth purposes. Central midfield is always a position that requires numbers throughout a season and Fellaini is another body to support an area of the pitch that has seen the Gunners traditionally suffer from injuries.

If that is the case, then it spells out the inevitable for one player in particular.

Jack Wilshere’s contract also expires on June 30th and, while initially it was reported that he was close to signing a new three-year deal with the club, with every passing day it is looking more and more likely that he could leave when his deal runs out, with West Ham United now the leading destination.

It seems odd that Arsenal would sign a player of Fellaini’s limited calibre if they were to keep both Aaron Ramsey, who Emery is reportedly keen to build around, and Wilshere, as well as the everpresent pair of Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny who will most probably remain in north London beyond the summer.

If those four all continue, then there isn’t really any room for Fellaini. It would only make sense to sign a genuine improvement at the position, something that Fellaini is clearly not, rather than just add another body to the mix for the sake of it, especially given the growing excitement around youngsters Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock.

So something must give, and, to me, it seems as if Wilshere’s future at the Emirates is what will fold. It could be that Emery has told him that he is not a part of his plans. It could be that Wilshere is keen to seek out pastures new, especially with his father figure now gone. It could be that there was not an agreement reached on wages.

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For whatever reason, Fellaini’s potential arrival certainly hints at Wilshere’s leaving. I am not so sure that Arsenal will be better off as a result.