Arsenal: Jack Wilshere doing precisely what he should

Jack Wilshere is reportedly seeking assurances from Unai Emery regarding his role next year before his committing his future to Arsenal. While the delay is frustrating, the 26-year-old is doing precisely what he should do in this situation.

‘I had a year left on my deal and I had been out on loan, got injured, and wasn’t really in his [Wenger’s] plans.’ Jack Wilshere, when reflecting on the state of his once-burgeoning career earlier this season, was somewhat despondent at the situation that he found himself in the summer of 2017. An unsuccessful loan at Bournemouth; rehabbing from yet another injury, this time a broken leg; a long way from the Arsenal first team. Bleak.

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But Wilshere decided to stay, or at least he was forced to stay — he speaks of not receiving the offers that he wanted and feeling a little guilty because he was not fit due to injury. Slowly, he worked his way back into the forefront of Arsene Wenger’s sight.

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By the end of the year, the oft-crocked midfielder made 38 appearances in all competitions and featured in 157 minutes of the 180-minute Europa League semi-final against Atletico Madrid, the pivotal, climactic contest of the whole season. He was an unquestionably integral member of not just the squad but the starting XI. And yet, still no new contract.

Consequently, here we are again, just one year later with a more pressing contractual issue. Wilshere’s current deal expires at the end of the month. He is free to talk to all teams in search of a free-agent move. He also has a three-year deal on the table from Arsenal, who seem somewhat keen to keep him, though not totally convinced in that decision. And yet, still no new contract.

The reason is simple, and actually very sensible. Like last year, Wilshere wants to know where he stands with new manager Unai Emery. Per a report in the London Evening Standard, while the now 26-year-old is believed to want to stay, he will not sign a new deal until he has discussed with Emery what his role will be in this new project.

For Wilshere, he is doing precisely what he should do. It could be the case that Emery sees him as a cornerstone piece of this team; it could also be the case that Emery isn’t even willing to give him a chance to earn playing time, like Wenger was last summer. Wilshere just needs to know.

He does not need the money. He will not be able to attract the interest of a better club that will immediately further his career. He simply needs to be playing if he is to ever resurrect the hopes that hung over his future. He might not get such reassurances at Arsenal.

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And Wilshere will settle with whatever he is told. ‘I was happy he was being honest’, was his reaction to Wenger’s admission that he can find a new club last summer. That’s all he wants from Emery. Honesty. There is nothing wrong with that whatsoever.