It’s no secret that Jack Wilshere’s Arsenal career was at a crossroads until a few months back.
Blighted by injury and inconsistency, the player was loaned to Bournemouth to gain playing time and to reflect on his status, as potentially one of the most gifted midfielders this Country has ever produced.
It looked like his days were numbered but he managed to regain his fitness and stamp his authority in the Arsenal midfield with a series of sublime performances.
With his contract running down, it is inevitable that the player would become the subject of transfer speculation with Liverpool being the latest to be linked, but this season has shown Wenger that Jack Wilshere definitely has a future in North London.
There are a host of clubs that would be interested in the midfielder if he became available but the fact is that Jack Wilshere is an Arsenal man. He could seek riches elsewhere, win things regularly and regain his England slot in the process but the word is that Wilshere is going nowhere.
Negotiations have been ongoing since December and I’m told from close sources that progress has been made and that the player has expressed his wish to stay. Wenger had lost faith in Wilshere, who made the headlines for all the wrong reasons and questioned his commitment and appetite for the cut and thrust of top-flight football.
But Wilshere has answered those questions with attractive football and solid performances. As a result, Wenger is determined to keep him and bring out the best from him and in doing so, show his commitment to Arsenal’s academy.
If Wilshere were to leave, he would no doubt remain in England and be sold to a rival. What would that say about Arsenal as a club? One that stuck by Van Persie and Diaby with little reward during lengthy spells on the sidelines. One that has lost so many of its core English talent over the last 10 or more seasons?
Wilshere still has a future at Arsenal, he is loved by the fans and a great many at the club, Arsenal should make the announcement as soon as possible and it will be another major coup for Wenger and the club.
