The new Mr Arsenal, Jack Wilshere, is another Gunner that is out of contract this summer, but is very unlikely to leave as he is working with the club towards a new extension to his deal. Yesterday was Arsenal’s first win of the 2018, and he was asked if the transfer window had disrupted the dressing room in January and he agreed for these reasons…
“It’s difficult when people like Theo and Francis leave,” Jack said. “They’re big characters in the dressing room and I’ve known them for a long time. We’re going to miss them and wish them all the best. But as a team and as a club we need to move on. Whoever comes in, whoever leaves, we’re strong enough to deal with it as we have in the past. We need to put in performances like we did today and start climbing up the table.”
So there is no mention of Alexis at all, but he did emphasise that Arsenal play better when they are acting as a team…”Yes and that’s what’s frustrating because we don’t do it enough. We need to keep it going now. We’re at our best when we’re playing collectively, passing and moving. We did that today, especially in the first half, where we killed the game. In the second half they came out and made it difficult for us but the game was over and we’re happy with the three points.”
So Arsenal were fine without Sanchez in the side, but what about our other player that is close to the end of his contract, Mesut Ozil?.. “I’ve said before that he understands football so well, and that’s what makes him one of the best. He knows when to play it to you, what side to pass to, and everything he does is quality. He makes it easy. I really enjoyed that little spell in the first half.”
So he is liking the new setup, so he was then asked if he thought Arsenal have now turned the corner…”Yeah I think so, and that’s what we can do. We can do our talking on the pitch. As I said, we haven’t been good enough – we have to accept that and hopefully now we have that result we can really push on.”
We’ve had a result on the pitch, and maybe we have had one off the pitch with Alexis gone as well. It certainly doesn’t sound like Wilshere is worried that Sanchez is leaving at all!
Sam P