Arteta gives definitive update on Wilshere future amid Arsenal return claims

Jack Wilshere has been training with Arsenal in recent weeks as he looks to get back to full fitness, but he will not be donning a Gunners shirt again, Mikel Arteta has confirmed

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Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s ‘No More Red’ campaign

Mikel Arteta has revealed that Jack Wilshere will not be rejoining Arsenal during the January transfer window.

Former Gunners midfielder Wilshere has been training with the first team since December to work on his fitness.

Wilshere has played less than 50 games since leaving Arsenal in 2018, with injury issues frustrating him at West Ham and then Bournemouth.

The 30-year-old does appear to be regaining fitness though, and with Ainsley Maitland-Niles leaving on loan until the end of the season, it was put to Arteta on Friday whether Wilshere would be given a chance with his side looking a little short in midfield.

However, the Spaniard firmly shot down any chance of the ex-England international’s chances of playing for Arsenal again.

He stated firmly: “I was very clear with the situation with Jack and the role that he was going to have being around here and we continue the same way.”

Arteta, who played alongside Wilshere after joining Arsenal from Everton in 2011, commented on the player’s level last month, as he works towards getting his coaching badges, with his future as a player remaining uncertain.

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“First of all it’s great to have him around because he adds this special feeling to the club,” Arteta said.

“His talent is unquestionable, I think you’ve heard some players say he’s the best in training. It’s up to him the next step in his career and we’re here to support that,” the manager continued.

When asked about Wilshere’s ability to play in the Premier League, Arteta said: “100%, and if he has doubts I can tell him that.”

However, when pushed on whether the academy graduate might return to Arsenal as a player, he said “That’s a different story”.

Wilshere had been linked with a move to National League side Wrexham, whose profile has risen massively since the Hollywood A-list duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their takeover earlier this year.

But Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson dismissed the theory that a possible approach for Wilshere was in his mind last month.