Mikel Arteta has played down any question about a potential return to Arsenal for former midfielder Jack Wilshere.
Wilshere spoke about potentially returning to north London during an interview, claiming a move back to N5 would be a dream.
In his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Molde, the Spaniard spoke highly about his former teammate, however, verified that the club hadn’t thought about signing the free agent.
Arteta said: “We haven’t analysed that situation. As a player, a team-mate a person, I rate him really highly but at the moment we haven’t looked at that.” (via Evening Standard)
What harm could a short-term deal really do for an Arsenal team which actually struggles moving the ball forward and creating from midfield? Thomas Partey and Dani Ceballos are the only two options if Arteta’s side want to move the ball through the thirds with any effect in their own different ways.
Should Arsenal re-sign Jack Wilshere on a short-term deal?
Yes
No
Partey, with his sheer size and power, has shown in his very short time that he can be as light as a feather when dribbling with the ball, averaging the most dribbles of any player to start more than one Premier League game. Meanwhile, Ceballos has that eye for a forward pass and his own unique dribbling style.
Even during an injury-plagued final season with the outfit, the Englishman proved his quality on the ball, averaging 2.3 dribbles and getting fouled 1.4 times per league game. Wilshere’s innate ability to carry the ball forward whilst drawing in fouls was synonymous during his time at the Emirates Stadium, a quality which is desperately needed back in the club’s midfield.
Wilshere could be a shrewd move in the transfer market, and with his obvious connections to Arteta as teammate back during both their times together he would know of his demands. The Gunners lack an sort of creative quality in midfield, something the former West Ham man can bring.
In other news, Arsenal are keen on re-signing one of their former academy players.
