With all that’s going on at Arsenal – the likely departure of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United or Chelsea, Mesut Ozil’s future still uncertain, a manager who has divided the fans over whether he’s still the right man to take the club forward and the poor season we’ve witnessed – this bit of news probably takes the biscuit and shows what the club are all about at the moment. What am I on about, well it’s been reported that Jack Wilshere has been offered a new deal. Great right? Not particularly, especially not for the England midfielder, because it’s understood he will have to take a £20,000-a-week pay cut to remain at the club he loves.
Wilshere has suffered a lot of recurring injuries which has stunted his development at Arsenal. This season, however, it appears he has overcome these problems and has arguably been one of the side’s best performers in recent weeks. He is a player who bleeds Arsenal and wants to become club captain one day, he said it after experiencing this against Chelsea in the semi-final first leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week. Fans have taken a shine to Wilshere ever since he made his breakthrough into the first-team because of his love for the club and determined displays. The midfielder is a player Arsenal need and must tie down to a new deal.
However, due to his injury record, Arsenal want the player to take a pay-cut to stay. Are you kidding me? Apparently, £90,000-a-week is being offered plus various add-ons based on appearance and success.
Arsenal are on the verge of losing both Ozil and Sanchez, either this month or over the summer, meaning there will be a significant chunk of wages made available to those at the club that deserve it, like Wilshere, or for future signings.
Wilshere has a huge decision to make now, either he stays at the club he loves and in doing so takes an undeserving pay-cut, or depart the Emirates this summer. It does sound like this is about money, but it isn’t. What has annoyed me about this report is that the club are taking advantage of a player who wants to be at the club and offer him less money to do so. It’s an insult and I’m sure a lot of Arsenal fans will agree it’s unfair to a degree.
