Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has admitted his surprise at Arsene Wenger’s decision to send Jack Wilshere out on loan.
The 24 year-old joined Bournemouth on a season-long loan on Deadline Day yesterday, joining former youth team-mate Benik Afobe on the south-coast.
The England international has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates in recent seasons, due to a number of arrivals, and his regular injury setbacks have halted his progress.
He will now get the chance to find form and fitness, but Paul Merson believes the time away from the club could work against them.
The former Gunner has also revealed that he is surprised by him being allowed to leave.
“I was shocked they let him go,” Merson said.
“If I am 1-0 down with ten minutes to go, who do I want to come on: Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Jack Wilshere?
“Jack Wilshere is the one that can make things happen, especially in a tight game where teams are sitting 11 behind the ball.”
“He will be hurting, I know he said he wants to go out on loan but when I was around you went for a month or two months or three months. A year is a long time.
“My worry is will he lose the love of Arsenal. He could easily look at this and think, why am I the one going out on loan?”
Could Jack the Lad, who is considered Arsenal through and through, really fall out of love with our club? Would you have preferred to see Oxlade have gone out instead?
Pat J