Remember when Jack Wilshere finished off that flowing team move to score one of the classiest Arsenal goals in the Premier League back in October 2013? Norwich City defenders stood as if frozen as Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Wilshere combined to produce one of the most memorable passages of football ever seen. Then only 21 years old, it looked like Wilshere would be a top-class player for at least a decade to come. But things turned out differently. Seven and a half years later, Wilshere is an unemployed footballer.Elegance of Jack Wilshere (Classic)pic.twitter.com/4Pvi7sJt5n— ً (@Bk8iP3) August 10, 2021 He was a hero with fans during his career at Arsenal, where his talent suffered because of injury and fitness issues. Having joined the Gunners’ academy at the age of nine, Wilshere made 197 first-team appearances for the north London club.However, he was shown the Emirates door in 2018 because manager Unai Emery wouldn’t gamble on the Englishman’s fitness. He moved on to an ill-fated spell with West Ham United, but his injuries were again a stumbling block for his career.Friday, 22.00: (4.10) Brentford (3.50) Arsenal (1.92)Wilshere had been without a club for six months after the Hammers released him two years into his three-year contract, which saw him make just 19 appearances. He was without a club for over six months before signing a short-term deal with EFL Championship side Bournemouth, the club Arsenal had loaned him to in 2016.🗣Jack Wilshere on Mikel Arteta: “I think Mikel has done a good job, you can start to see they’ve got an identity. They are hard working and training is intense. He is trying to get every inch out of every player he can and I think you are starting to see that at #Arsenal.” pic.twitter.com/4axTEUI8UA— Arsenal News Channel (@Arsenalnewschan) August 10, 2021 Jack made 17 appearances for the south coast club and played alright – but not good enough to persuade the Cherries to try and keep him beyond the end of the 2020/21 season. Wilshere was a free agent once more. However, this time, he doesn’t want to spend months waiting for his next job. But the problem is – nobody seems interested.”I’ve actually had a good pre-season. I’ve been training with a club just to keep myself fit. I’m in a good place, physically. I’m 29. I’m waiting for the right opportunity to come up, to be honest. But nothing has come up at the minute, and nothing is happening. I’m just waiting. I don’t really know how long I can wait.”The 18 Arsenal outcasts under Unai Emery – where are they now?Wilshere should be playing the best football of his career at his age, but he looks far from it. There is a club he would always love to return to, of course – even though it’s a call, he’s doubtful to receive. Asked whether he would become a Gunner again, he said he would.But the call from Emirates isn’t coming. Nor there are calls from other stadiums in England. The wait continues for Jack.
