Jack Wilshere Announces He’s Leaving Arsenal

By The Editor
on 19th June 2018

Jack Wilshere has rejected the contract on offer and decided to seek pastures new…

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has announced that he’ll leave the club once his current contract expires at the end of this month ending a 17-year association with the club.

Wilshere has been locked in negotiations with the club ever since the turn of the year and while the academy graduate admits that he agreed to a reduced deal earlier this summer, he wanted to speak to new boss Unai Emery before putting pen-to-paper.

It was in that meeting that Wilshere decided he would have to leave Arsenal in order to seek first-team football, given that Emery made it clear that he wouldn’t be an integral member of his squad.

A lengthy statement across Wilshere’s social media platforms read: “I can confirm that I will be leaving Arsenal Football Club when my contract expires at the end of June.

“Following a number of extensive conversations with those at the club, and in particular a recent meeting with the new manager, Unai Emery, I felt that I was ultimately left with little choice but to make the decision that I have due to purely footballing reasons.

“As has widely been reported I, along with my representative, have been in talks with the club for a number of months with the view to signing a new contract to extend my stay at the Emirates.

“My intention throughout these discussions has always been to remain an Arsenal player. I have been on the books at Arsenal for 17 years and have always felt part of the fabric of the club. Such was my desire to stay that I had in fact recently agreed to sign a financially reduced contract in order to commit my future to the club.

“However, following my meeting with the new manager I was made aware that, although the reduced contract offer remained, it was made clear to me that my playing time would be significantly reduced should I decide to stay.

“I am sure everyone can understand that at this point in my life and career I need to be playing regular first team football and following my meeting with Mr Emery I came away feeling that it would be very difficult for me to do so at Arsenal.

“Given this, I feel I have no option but to pursue other opportunities in order to progress my career on the pitch.

“I’m feeling fit, sharp and strong and will be working tirelessly to ensure I am in peak condition ahead of the new season. I’ll now be taking the time necessary to consider my options before deciding on the next stage of my career.

“I would like to place on record my respect for Mr Emery and my appreciation for his honesty and candor, and I wish him, the team and the club all the very best for the future.”

Thanks for the memories ?

A post shared by Jack Wilshere (@jackwilshere) on Jun 19, 2018 at 1:16pm PDT

It looks like Wilshere and Arsenal have departed on the best of terms and the 26-year-old clearly respects the Spaniard’s honesty and respect.

Having said that, it is a really sad day for any Arsenal fan given that Wilshere was supposed to be the man who led us for a generation and retired at the club.

However, injuries have caught up with him and while he’s remained fit for a significant period of time, Wilshere can no longer play with the intensity elite managers want their players to consistently display.

It’s been an honour to see Wilshere grow up here and play the football we all know he’s capable of and I for one hope he remains in England and shows many what he’s capable of.