Jack Wilshere was one of the best players the Arsenal Academy ever produced, but his career did not pan out as expected.
The Englishman broke through into the first team in stunning fashion as a teenager, with Wilshere quickly becoming an important player for Arsene Wenger.
Wilshere delivered an iconic performance in 2011, as Arsenal beat Barcelona in the Champions League. Then 19, Wilshere went toe to toe with all-time greats Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets in midfield, and came out on top.
However, his progress would be blighted by a long-term injury which kept him out for over a year, and by the time he returned to action in 2013, Arsenal already had Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey thriving in midfield.
Injury struck Wilshere again in 2014 and 2015, with Arsenal’s second-place finish in 2015-16 a write-off for the midfielder, who made just three Premier League appearances.
Wenger then signed Granit Xhaka, and in the final days of the summer transfer window in 2016, Wilshere realised that he was unlikely to play much. This led to a shock loan move.
Why Jack Wilshere joined Bournemouth on loan from Arsenal in 2016
AFC Bournemouth had enjoyed a respectable first campaign in the Premier League under Eddie Howe as they finished 16th, but they were ready to take the next step as they pulled off a huge coup.
On August 31st 2016, Bournemouth shocked the Premier League as they signed Wilshere on loan. A player once seen as the next Arsenal captain had moved on loan at the age of 24.
Wilshere already had 159 Arsenal appearances, as well as 34 senior England caps under his belt, and many were mystified at the decision from both Wenger and Wilshere to take a step down to Bournemouth.
“We had a chat together, and he himself was concerned that he would not get enough competition early enough. Because he feels ready to play,” Wenger stated after Wilshere’s move.
“I couldn’t guarantee that, so that’s why it’s a decision we thought looked logical, to give him time to really come back to a competitive level. At some stage you need competition, and I couldn’t guarantee that.”
Wilshere moved to the south coast, but whilst he helped Bournemouth finish ninth in the Premier League, his season on loan there was detrimental to his Arsenal career.
Why Jack Wilshere’s loan move to Bournemouth was a failure
Wilshere had two objectives in his time at Bournemouth: maintain his fitness to get over his injury struggles, and show that he was capable of the magic he produced as a teenager.
The former Hale End prodigy managed his first objective for the most part, making 29 Premier League appearances, his highest total since the 2010-11 season, but he was then dealt a huge blow as he missed the final few games of the season after a fracture to his left leg.
This came at the worst possible time. He had one year left to run on his contract at Arsenal, and whilst he did show glimpses of his talent, he did not perform to a level which could have seen him re-enter the Gunners first team.
Jack Wilshere’s return to Arsenal in 2017
Wilshere did return to Arsenal after his loan spell at Bournemouth ended, but it took until late October for him to make his return to action.
No new contract talks had started with Wilshere, and unless he could find his form, he was due to leave at the end of the season.
The Englishman returned from Bournemouth still fairly low down in the pecking order, with Wenger’s side struggling in what would be the Frenchman’s final season in charge.
In January 2018, many thought Wilshere had finally returned to his old self, as he scored a stunning goal against Chelsea.
“Jack really is back!” Martin Tyler exclaimed as his shot cannoned in off the post, in an eventual 2-2 draw at the Emirates.
This could have been the start of Wilshere’s Arsenal redemption, but this would end up being his last Premier League goal for his boyhood club.
Arsenal’s form fell off a cliff in the second half of the season, and Wilshere was one of several players who struggled to perform as Wenger’s side began consistently losing on the road.
Wenger then announced his intention to leave the club at the end of the season, and Wilshere ultimately followed, with it clear that he needed a completely fresh start.
Jack Wilshere’s career since Arsenal exit
When Wilshere first joined Bournemouth on loan, many still envisaged a long-term future for him at the Emirates Stadium.
Clubs such as AC Milan were interested, but Wilshere opted to remain in the Premier League with Bournemouth. However, this loan move was unproductive as he failed to stand out in a side which finished in mid-table.
Wilshere would then return to Bournemouth for a second spell after a failed stint at West Ham. He signed a six-month deal in January 2021, but he could not help them achieve promotion back to the Premier League, and was ultimately released.
After retiring at the age of 29, Wilshere has since become the under-18 manager at Arsenal, and he is helping the likes of Max Dowman develop their own careers.
Had his loan move to Bournemouth gone differently, without his late injury, and with a bigger impact, Wilshere could have earned himself a new contract at Arsenal, but his move to the Cherries was ultimately the beginning of the end for one of Hale End’s greatest talents.
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