Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has returned to the club following three years away as he focuses on the future and aims to steer clear of injury nightmare
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Jack Wilshere is back at Arsenal after an injury-ravaged three years and four months away from the club.
The 29-year-old has been a free agent since his deal at Bournemouth expired at the end of last season and he will be training at the Gunners training facilities over the months to come.
Wilshere was previously training at Serie B club Como and had spoken about the impact his injuries had taken on his mental health.
Without a club and aiming to gain full fitness, Wilshere – who spent a decade in the North London club’s first-team squad, making 197 appearances – is now back at the club.
The future of the midfielder remains unclear, having failed to be given a longer-term deal at Championship club Bournemouth after they fell short in last season’s playoffs.
It is unlikely that Wilshere would be at the standard to challenge for a starting spot in Arsenal ’s first-team squad, although many Gunners fans would no doubt love a fairytale return.
Granit Xhaka’s long-term injury has left Mikel Arteta’s squad short in midfield and further layoffs to Thomas Partey or Albert Sambi Lokonga could create a real lack of depth.
Arteta playing alongside Wilshere in the heart of the club’s midfield almost a decade ago and the boss will be familiar with his former teammate’s attributes and qualities.
“What you should believe is that we want to help Jack prepare for his next stage, physically, mentally,” Arteta told Arsenal’s official website .
“He wants to do his coaching badges again and we are prepared to fulfil all the needs that he wants. That is basically the idea and it is no further than that.
“I am very happy to have him back. We had a conversation with Jack and understand the needs that he has, the period that he is going through and I think everyone at the club agreed it was the right moment to help him.
“We sat down with him and we listened to what he wanted to do and what stage he is and we are prepared to do anything we can to help him.
“He is going to be training sometimes with us, he is going to be around the place, he is going to be continuing his coaching badges that he is very interested in, try to get him fit, try to get his experiences across to our players, our young players, our academy and I think it is great influence to have around.”
A playing role for Wilshere at the Emirates should not be ruled out – stranger things have happened and a short-term contract is far from impossible – the midfielder may play a bigger role at the Gunners off the pitch.
Wilshere has intentions of undergoing his coaching badges and remaining within the game after he hangs up his boots from playing.
Wilshere joined Arsenal as a nine-year-old, captaining multiple youth teams before making his first-team debut at the age of 16 years and 256 days – the club’s youngest ever league debutant.
There are few people who understand what it takes to succeed at a club of Arsenal’s statures – and deal with setbacks along the way – than Wilshere, who could play a key role with younger players development.
He added: “[For a young player] it is about making it here, beginning to establish yourself and then taking it to the next level for many years and that is very complicated and I think Jack has a great experience to share and talk about what he has been through in his career.”
Wilshere’s return to Arsenal’s facilities is a move that could lead to a longer-term future at the club in some capacity and illustrates the club’s understanding and willingness to help their former star.
Aged just 29, the former England international is intent on rekindling his playing career while plotting a career path to stay in football after his retirement – Arsenal look certain to remain in his hopes and dreams.
