Jack Wilshere interview: Returning to Arsenal would be a dream come true, but that ship has sailed

Former England midfielder was speaking to Paul Radley during a visit to NAS Sports Complex in Dubai

Former Arsenal, West Ham and England midfielder Jack Wilshere at the NAS Sports Complex in Dubai. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National unless stated

Jack Wilshere is in Dubai to do some individual training at the NAS Sports Complex.

Jack Wilshere practices keepy ups.

Jack Wilshere is currently without a club after being released by Premier League team West Ham United at the end of the 2019/20 season.

Jack Wilshere during his interview with The National.

Jack Wilshere in Dubai.

Jack Wilshere still feels he can play at a high level despite a career hampered by injuries.

Jack Wilshere, seen here playing for West Ham, has struggled with injuries throughout his career. Reuters

Jack Wilshere, left, began his career at Arsenal, making almost 200 appearances for the Gunners. Action Images

Jack Wilshere won the last of his 34 England caps in 2016. Getty Images

Jack Wilshere says it would be “a dream come true” to return to Arsenal, but acknowledges it is unrealistic at present.

The former England midfielder has been a free agent since leaving West Ham United at the start of October, with a year still to run on his three-year deal with the club.

He is in Dubai currently, training at the NAS Sports Complex, as he bids to maintain his fitness if any club does agree a deal with him.

On Tuesday, the former England striker Darren Bent suggested Arsenal should resign Wilshere, who spent seven years with the London club’s academy, and then 10 years in the senior side before leaving in 2018.

Arsenal have gone more than seven hours without a goal in open play in the Premier League, and sit 12th in the table.

Bent believes Wilshere has “got that creativity” to help revive Mikel Arteta’s side, and that he would jump at a move to return because “I know how much he loves the club”.

“I’m not saying give him a normal contract, but on a pay-as-you-play, I’d take him back tomorrow,” Bent said on UK radio.

“He’s only 28, a pay-as-you-play deal makes sense.”

Wilshere says he feels he has unfinished business at Arsenal, but thinks “that ship has sailed”.

"Growing up I was a West Ham fan, but because I was in the [Arsenal] academy for so long, you lose that," Wilshere told The National.

“I wasn’t like a normal kid. I was very lucky to be in such a good academy, and I learnt to love Arsenal.

“It was my dream to play for Arsenal and win things with them. And I did.

“I don’t feel like I’ve completed my time there, but at the same time, I’m realistic enough to know the club has moved on, and they have different ideas.

“Obviously, it would be a dream come true, but I think that ship has sailed, and it is time to look at different things.”

Jack Wilshere says it would be a lie to say Arsenal players have nothing to lose. Alessandro Bianchi / Reuters

Wilshere believes Arsenal already have a solution to their lack of creativity, in the form of their out-of-favour German playmaker Mesut Ozil.

“I don’t know what has gone on there, but when you look on, it is crying out for an Ozil-type player,” Wilshere said.

“Especially with the quality they have up front, with the likes of [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang and [Alexandre] Lacazette, players who would thrive of someone like that.

“I think Arteta knows what he is doing. He has a plan, and it is going to take some time and I think he will get there eventually.”