Arsenal warned about Wilshere exit, but who should replace him in the squad? (Poll)

Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has warned Unai Emery that losing Jack Wilshere will be a huge blow, and that he will be held responsible when the decision proves to be an error.

Wilshere joined the club whilst he was still in Primary school, and spent 17 years with the club from the academy up through to the senior side, but has revealed that he will be leaving at the end of his contract next week.

His destination is yet to be confirmed, but Giroud has already expressed his disagreement with the decision.

The now Chelsea goalscorer said: ‘It’s big news and I’m very sad to hear it, because he’s a good friend.

‘Jack is a good lad, a very good player, very talented and it is a shame he has had so many injuries.

‘But he came back well last season and it was good to see him on the pitch, enjoying his game and being strong.

‘It’s a big loss and I hope he will bounce back as soon as possible at a good club.

‘I wish him the very best because I appreciate him. I hope for him and his family he will bounce back. ‘The new manager makes the decision and he has the responsibility for the team and the player.’

Emery is now being linked with a number of replacements to come in his place, with the likes of Ever Banega, Steven N’Zonzi, Stanislav Lobotka, Lucas Torreira, but which of these should we most strongly pursue?

Which midfielder is best to replace Wilshere in Gunners midfield?

  • Lucas Torreira (55%, 222 Votes)
  • Steven N'Zonzi (18%, 73 Votes)
  • Other (12%, 50 Votes)
  • Ever Banega (12%, 48 Votes)
  • Lobotka (2%, 10 Votes)

Total Voters: 403

Loading ... Loading ...
Tags Arsenal Banega Chelsea Giroud Lobotka Torreira Wilshere

42 Comments

  1. can’t see a warning in giroud’s opinion. anyway good lack jack I won’t really miss you.

    1. Exactly, another headline that doesn’t match the quote, this site mirrors rags like Metro, The Sun and the Daily Star at times.

      1. I hate this site now with passion. I don’t know if understand English, you click on a headline only to read something entirely different. I used to enjoy this site before, please they should this rubbish and give us accurate information.

        1. Hmm I don’t understand. The title reflects EXACTLY what is in the post!
          What are you talking about?

          1. To admin

            This quote: “‘The new manager makes the decision and he has the responsibility for the team and the player.”
            HAS GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH
            ““Arsenal warned about Wilshere exit”.
            I am sorry.

      2. Explain please. The article quotes Giroud’s warning about Wilshere leaving, which is exactly what it says in the title, and then asks who replaces him. Am I missing something?
        I am confused…..

        1. I wanted to know the statement that sounded like a warning in giroud’s opinion, for who to replace jack? I think we have already done that. he was surplus to requirement isn’t it?

      3. I’d say it’s a headline that definitely matches the purpose of the article. Jacks off and I for one am gutted he is but onwards and upwards, who do we want as a replacement? simple discussion it seems to me ?
        Torreira and Banega would be some good business and pretty affordable in today’s market

  2. More skillful playmakers such as Denis Suarez, Jean Seri or Rafinha could be a good replacement for Wilshere

    Unless Emery wants a box-to-box CM instead, then Tanguy Ndombele seems to be a good option

    Arsenal already have many players that can play in Wilshere’s position, such as Ozil, Ramsey, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi and Elneny. Therefore it would be okay if they don’t purchase a new CM

  3. Lucas Torreira makes for a replacement in terms of numbers in the squad but not in role as he’ll play more as a DM.
    I’d expect more game time in the midfield for Maitland-Niles however, which is good news as he’s got great potential.
    With Xhaka, Elneny & Ramsey (with Ōzil in front of them), that’s a solid set of options for Emery to use!

    1. This, the fact 42% of votes have gone to Torreira and N’zonzi got 19 whilst Banega got 16 says a lot about the general fan base when it comes to really basic analysis never mind the more complicated aspects of football. They are totally different players. V.excited about Torreira but he is being bought for the DM role not backing up Ramsey. We might go 4231 with Ramsey/Xhaka and Torreira/AMN with Elneny as crisis back up but I suspect we’re going 433 which leaves us needing a more attacking Banega type CM to back up for Ramsey.

  4. Wilshere’s exit only affects the squad situation, not the first team, so it’s not a major concern. Personally, I wouldn’t spend money to replace Jack, just give AMN more opportunities.

    1. With wenger mentality then yes let AMN replace Jack, but if we want to win the league and other major trophies, we need a better replacement and not from our academy or team B

      1. Wilshere was a backup player, not a starting player.
        Replacing a backup player with a youth is good, buying to improve the 1st team is good… wasting that money on squad depth is a waste and as such, it is bad.

        JW is of the opinion that I also find myself with, replacing a backup player with a youth to give that youth more time to showcase and prove himself good enough is a win/win situation. We get a hungry lad who wants to keep progressing while reduce wage bill overall as well, all for the grand price of nothing.

  5. Kovacic from Real Madrid would be a perfect
    replacement for the departing Wilshere. He
    wants to leave Madrid in search of 1st team football and would immediately bring class and
    industry to the Arsenal midfield.

    Id show both El Neny and Ramsey the door to
    cover his transfer fee if Perez and Co. were
    serious about sellling.

    1. I dnt know is Kovacic the best option for Arsenal… he is better then Xhaka, El Neny and Ramsey but…. will see.
      Sorry to see Jack go,
      but why we are still keeping those mentioned above it is the 1st serious question for Emery. He have to clear those 3 and Mustafi if he want to progress.

      1. But Maks, the three players who you mentioned have been offered new contracts, the only ones apart from AMN!
        What is that telling you?
        Please don’t quote the old chestnut about doing this to sell them on, because we might not be able to and then have to honour those improved contracts.
        I just believe that Emery knows what he wants and is building for the future.

      2. And if you add Iwobi and Welbeck to the 3 you mentioned we would be good to go. At least it wasn’t Emery that gave Elneny his new contract so maybe there’s some hope there. Not sure about Mustafi – maybe he can improve with decent coaching.

  6. I don’t want to regurgitate news so I’m going to say this for the final time that Soyuncu will be an Arsenal player.Raul Sanllehi wants to get the player at a reduced price hence why he hasn’t yet joined.However,should this not happen the move will still happen.Minslintat will not want us to miss on this youngster just because of €35m.The move will 100% happen and I don’t care and you shouldn’t also care about because Soyuncu will be an Arsenal player.I also said the player has already rejected moves to clubs including Bayern for us yet people doubted.The end justifies the means and by the end of the window Soyuncu will be an Arsenal player.

    kovacic loan move to Arsenal is being considered.

    1. What about lemar -when’s he having his medical,you said it wAs a done deal 12 months ago

      1. I didn’t do my research well and I jumped the gun.But he was close than most people think.The move should’ve happened but the thing is when the player doesn’t come people refuse to listen to the reason which may be actually true.Thus if the end justifies the means all I’m saying is Soyuncu will be an Arsenal player.I said the same for Lichtsteiner and Torreira and at that time there were doubts about their moves becoming reality.

    2. Hey Kev,

      Curious if Arsenal would consider moving on a
      midfielder or two if the loan move for Kovacic
      materializes.

      Cant see the Croat agreeing to join a non CL club
      without assurances of 1st team football.

      Hopd uf right on Soyuncu!!!

      1. If Xhaka has signed a new contract and Ramsey is close to signing along with captaincy being offered to him I doubt Kovacic is going to go straight into the line-up unless Emery doesn’t rate Xhaka which based on his new contract is a doubt.I guess that’s probably why it’s a loan move.But I hope Emery does not come to regret the faith he’s put in Ramsey because should Ramsey not impress this season we are in for trouble.
        £10,000 was added to Xhaka’s salary for his new contract.

        1. It is this narrative that is beginning to ebb my enthusiasm for the post wenger era … I simply don’t understand how anyone with half a football brain could watch the World Cup and think wow elneny and xhaka are the kind if players we must get to start challenging again for trophies … The pair of em should be shifted out to the kind of lower club that matches their level … Ramsey is a useful bench player but to up his salary and dangle thoughts of captaincy and irreplaceability in front of his snout is utterly stupid … Hope I am wrong but as things stand our midfield ain’t up to the task and if all we get is torreira in wilshere out I don’t think that will be enough to make a difference unfortunately

          1. Spot on mate, it boggles my mind that the
            majority of Arsenal fans worlwide and
            especially members of this site truly
            believe that players such as Xhaka, Ramsey,
            Wilshere and El Neny should feature
            prominently for a club like Arsenal. To label
            Ramsey as untouchable and the foundation
            to build Arsenals future upon is utter
            bollocks and would represent criminal
            negligence by the club if they sign him to
            a ridiculous extension.

            If AFC prefer to remain a Europa League
            participant under Emery than by all means
            Gunners celebrate the likes of Xhaka and
            Ramsey being our midfield dynamic duo for
            years to come.

            SMH

            1. This is exactly what I’ve been posting in the last week ,the players we are going after just ain’t good enough ,and the players we have in the midfield are shocking imo ,that position as been our downfall for so many seasons ,and I would have thought this would have been the priority of the club ,but all we have done is got xhaka and element to sign new contracts and tell Ramsey he is our star player .
              Just not good enough

      2. When are we going to stop the non cl club nonsense. Can u please tell us what playing in cl will do to Kovacic career as regard to playing regularly. This is a player who is even playing regularly for his country in the greatest football tournament in the world.

  7. Jack hasn’t offered much to defend his salary or a place in first team. Cheaper backup players who will give more are available, no need to wring hands over Jack leaving.

    Arsenal need a CM to boss midfield; sorry but AMN, Xhaka, and Ramsey have not shown that ability. Our midfield is not much better than our defense, and I’m pleased to see both being addressed.

    Extending Ramsey is short term fix; I’d rather sell the 27 yr old for younger, better, CM. Ramsey is a AM in his good performances; need only see him playing for Wales.

    However, he’s not at Ozil’s level, so either needs to back up Ozil or move on like Jack.

    1. Couldnt agree more Durand, mortgaging Arsenals
      short term midfield future on Ramsey is simply
      bad business by AFC. He doesnt possess the
      necessary skill set or athleticism to be B2B or
      CAM @ AFC. His strengths lie in the attacking
      3rd as exbibited by his excellent performances in
      Euro 16 for Wales.

      Hopefully the 3 Musketers will make a choice
      between Ozil and the Welshmen because its
      been proven countless times that a midfield
      dynamic featuring both players simply doesnt
      work.

      1. Ace I’ve always felt that Ramsey in lineup always unbalances the midfield. Club has tried pairing Ramsey up with Jack, Xhaka, Coq, ElNeny, and how many other midfielders?

        Always same result; no balance or discipline, opponents counter attack through our midfield like hot knife through butter.

        Ramsey caught out in opponents box again, and fans scream Xhaka, Coq, ElNeny, etc….are rubbish and a waste.

        Ramsey is not B2B midfielder; he is however a relentless, aggressive, attacking midfielder who never stops attacking. Great for an AM with Wales, but disasterous and undisciplined B2B with Arsenal.

        IMHO, huge pay raise and captain band tremendous mistake for Ramsey.

        I honestly wonder who would make a great next captain? Not convinced by current players. Who has the bite, respect, accomplishments to lead the squad?

        That is biggest need in squad honestly. Forget DM, CB, GK, and all; without a leader, interchanging parts won’t bring change we need.

        1. Again, spot on mate.

          Its tellng that of all the current Arsenal players,
          free transfer, 34 yrd old Stephen Lichsteiner
          would probably be the most qualified to be
          selected captain.

          Ramsey @ $200K a week and given the
          captains armband would be a COLLOSAL
          mistake by the Big Three and cement
          Arsenal as a perenial Europa League
          participant.

  8. Wilshere’s like a Samsung. You get one and think ‘wow this is great’. And soon after you realise it doesn’t actually work. And then you think ‘oh well this does a lot of stuff my iphone didnt’. And then it’s a kick in the teeth because not only does it not work properly but for some reason it’s also now much slower just a few months later.

    Moral of the story – don’t extend your contract on a Samsung. Top marks to Mr Emery. He obviously has an IPhone X

    1. Robin I hope you get residuals from Apple for gassing them up. For the sake of an answer and to be contrarian I’ll go Android.

      Apple is too proprietary with coding, and maybe half the apps as Android. I prefer the shareware and open coding with Android; not to mention the apps I’ve coded and added to my LG.

      Not possible with Apple, and the several hundred I saved paid for super weekend at the beach.

      Enjoy your iphone, seems to be great device and glad your happy with it’s performance.

      1. Also happy with my Samsung android; also their flat screen TV ‘s perform well and are very reliable. Unfortunately Jack has been plagued by injuries.

  9. What does everyone wants Arsenal to do, give him easy passage to first team. Well that is what arsenal had be doing for ages. If he really loves the club as he prophecies why can’t he sign the new contract and prove to the coach he deserves to play regularly instead he chooses the easy way out . If those people want to be honest with themselves they will know the club had done best thing there is for Wilshire and it is good for him to rebuild his career elsewhere. This coming from Giroud is hypocrisy at its best.

  10. Guys, yes we do need to strengthen the entire squad and if we are being honest, with the exceptions of the recent signings, no one should be at the club. However, its going to take some time. Some current players will have to integrate and hopefully challenge for a better spot. A few additions will come, some confirmed, some pending others, well. We dream. BUT, there is a calibre of player we cannot attract RIGHT now and until we push for a CL place, we will continue to struggle. And soon, finances will also start to run dry the longer we are out of the CL, because some of the bigger sponsors will eventually move away.
    What am i saying. Emery has seen something that he can use and build on with some of these players. Some of us keep talking about how some of the Aresnal players perform more at international level, and in some cases have different roles and positions. Who is to say Emery will not do this. Maybe he wants Ramsey to push Ozil, i dont know. Maybe he will play 4-1-4-1 vs 4-3-3 maybe he will play 3-5-2. My point is a lot of what Emery is doing will become clear when the season starts. Maybe he will have a different first 11 when we play Wolves than when we play Spurs.
    I really think we need to allow some of the players we have to make new mistakes before judge. I dont like Xhaka. I am one of those that SCREAMED even when he was being signed because of his recklessness and errors in midfield. Last season, 3/4 of the ridiculous goals we made, can be directly attributed to him. BUT i need to trust Emery (not him) to deliver his goods. We may regret some decisions and choices but the reason we wanted Wenger out was because he WASNT WILLING TO make mistakes, change things and let people go. If we want perfect, then sell Arsenal to oil tycoons, they will buy us the league.

Comments are closed

Top Blog Sponsors