When speaking to reporters, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta suggested that West Ham midfielder Jack Wislhere could have been a phenomenal player, had injuries not ravaged his career, as quoted by Football.London.
The Spaniard played with the 28-year-old during their time together at the Emirates.
Wilshere left Arsenal when his contract expired in the summer of 2018, however. And he joined West Ham on a £100,000 per week three-year deal (Spotrac).
The former England international has really struggled with his fitness and form at the London Stadium, however.
He has made just 16 appearances for the Hammers, racking up only one goal and one assist in the process (Transfermarkt).
Injuries have robbed Wilshere of an outstanding career in the game. When he burst onto the scene with Arsenal as a teenager, he was clearly an exceptional talent.
And Mikel Arteta responded when asked about the West Ham ace’s career, as quoted by Football.London:
“It’s very sad with Jack. When I joined here and watched him play every day in training, you would say he could be one of the best midfielders. He always had something, then he is starting to build again a career and then again another injury, again another setback and it was disappointing. I was very impressed with Jack. How strong he was mentally to deal with the situation because as well he had a lot of pressure from the media because the expectations for him were big, but it is what it is. He could have been phenomenal.”
Wilshere hasn’t played for West Ham since October last year. He is back in training now, however, and hopefully he can now enjoy an injury-free run in the first-team.
Hammers fans won’t be holding out too much hope, however. They have seen it all before.
And judging by Arteta’s comments, he has too.
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