Should Jack Wilshere move on in the summer?

Jack Wilshere’s long-term future at Arsenal is in doubt with the midfielder currently on loan at Bournemouth

When Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere went out on loan to Bournemouth last summer it came as little surprise.

The central midfielder had enormous competition for a place in the Arsenal starting line-up and looked unlikely to play regular first-team football at the Emirates.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger still rated the midfielder highly. However, Wilshere was coming back to fitness after another injury setback. He needed game time to get back to match fitness, so a loan move proved the ideal solution.

Wilshere has had a steady time at Bournemouth

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a decent season at Bournemouth. He has not done anything out of this world, but he has become the main man in the Cherries midfield. No doubt he enjoys his status at Bournemouth, being regarded as a big player.

He did not get that at Arsenal. Jack Wilshere was just another star in a galaxy of stars at the Emirates Stadium. At Arsenal, he always seemed to have the spotlight on him and could not move without a shedload of attention.

However, at Bournemouth, although he is regarded as a big player he has been allowed to just get on with his football. The midfielder has even managed to play on a regular basis, making 17 appearances for the Cherries in the top-flight. Despite those regular appearances he has produced just one assist in the top-flight, which is surprising considering his talent.

Wilshere, who has been so injury-prone down the years, has even managed to avoid injuries in his loan spell on the south coast.

This is incredible because he has spent most of the last few years in the Arsenal treatment room. If he can stay fit for the rest of the campaign, then questions need to be asked about the Gunners medical staff.

Linked with a summer move

Arsenal’s decision to allow the midfielder to move on a temporary basis suggested that his long-term future was in doubt at the north London club. Wilshere has been linked with a number of moves to the likes of Everton and Manchester City in the summer.

Reports from Italy suggest that both AC Milan and Roma are ready to make summer moves for the highly-rated midfield man.

It is unclear if Wilshere still feels he has a future at Arsenal. However, it seems unlikely that he will remain at Bournemouth on a permanent basis. He has proven his fitness and put in steady performances, so no doubt clubs with bigger financial resources will be stalking him in the summer.

Maybe Jack Wilshere needed to be out of the goldfish bowl that is Arsenal to be happy and fit. Now he is out it seems doubtful he will return to Arsenal with no sign of a deal in north London.

Needs to start to live up to his billing

Everybody was waiting for Jack Wilshere to get fit and stay injury-free to see the best of the midfielder. He is now injury-free and match-fit but has not set the league alight. Bournemouth are currently in midtable and odds of 7/4 to finish in the top-ten this season.

If the Cherries are to finish in the top-ten of the Premier League then Wilshere needs to start fulfilling his potential. Everybody at the club will be looking towards the England midfielder to be the catalyst that propels the Cherries towards a positive end to the season.

If he can up his game for the rest of the campaign, then he certainly will not be on loan at a midtable Premier League team that is for sure. The midfielder will likely get a move to an ambitious club or who knows could get back into the Arsenal side.

However, one thing is for sure he will not be keen on returning to the days when he was injured for the majority of the campaign and frustrated on the sidelines. Maybe it is for the best for his long-term future that Jack Wilshere seeks pastures new in the summer.

Should Jack Wilshere leave Arsenal in the summer?