Jamie Carragher believes Jack Wilshere should NOT sign a new deal with Arsenal.
The England international is currently on a season-long loan at Bournemouth and is unsure whether he will return to Arsenal over the summer.
Arsene Wenger, however, has not given up hope on Wilshere and has previously stated that the 24-year-old still has a future at the club.
Reports are now suggesting the Gunners are preparing to offer the midfielder a new deal to remain at the Emirates, but Carragher has advised his fellow countryman against extending his stay at Arsenal, warning he would be going ‘back to square one’ if he did.
Following Bournemouth’s sensational comeback against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, which Wilshere played a huge part in, Carragher said:
‘Jack Wilshere’s at the stage where he just wants to play football. With the competition for places at Arsenal, he’s probably not sure [about playing every week]. He’s got a massive decision to make. I saw what Arsene Wenger said about him signing a new deal but if I’m being honest, if I were Jack Wilshere, I wouldn’t go back to Arsenal.
‘I don’t see how he fits in. He’s playing in a No 10 position now and Mesut Ozil is better in that position than him so he won’t play there.’
The Liverpool legend finished off by saying:
‘Wilshere just goes back to square one where he’s not sure whether he’s playing, and at 24 or 25, forget about what club you’re at or what you could win. You want to play week in, week out, for 90 minutes, and show what you can do.’
Wilshere’s lack of appearances for the Gunners last season were hampered by injuries, but many would have thought he’d play a part in Arsenal’s campaign this term. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case, with Wenger opting to loan him out instead to play regularly.
However, with the summer addition of Granit Xhaka and Ozil ahead of him in the pecking order, Wilshere’s future now looks bleak at Arsenal – especially if he wants to start on a regular basis – which makes the offer of a new deal to remain at the club a little puzzling.
Would Wilshere be going back to square one if he signed a new deal with Arsenal? Possibly. But things could change in the personnel department at the club over the summer which could work in the England midfielder’s favour.
It’s down to Wilshere, whether he believes he can become a regular at Arsenal, or seek it elsewhere.
