West Ham travel across London to face Arsenal this Saturday, with Jack Wilshere being a main tale of the derby.
Jack Wilshere was a boyhood Arsenal star, but he’s now applying his trade for London rivals West Ham. While this isn’t a bitter love story, the Englishman will want to prove a point this weekend. He’s started life at West Ham well, albeit the club itself is in a sticky situation. They find themselves in 19th place, a relegation spot.
Still, Wilshere didn’t let that shy away from his media comments, because of course, Arsenal are just two places above him in 17th. Here’s what the former Gunner had to say ahead of the clash, via football.london.
"“It’ll be a strange one for me as I was never able to go there and play when I went out on loan as you can’t play against your parent club, but it’s one I’m looking forward to. It’s down to me to prove a point to Arsenal that they were wrong to get rid of me.” – Jack Wilshere"
Let’s get this straight.
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Arsenal were more than happy to keep Wilshere in their books, in fact they offered to extend his contract multiple times. However, Wilshere refused to co-operate and take a pay deficit.
In my opinion, the pay cut was more than warranted. Wilshere’s Arsenal career was plagued with injury, and time after time he let the fans down by going a lengthy spell on the sidelines. That said, I think his last comment was unfair.
But at the same time, it’s good for West Ham fans to see. They love their players who are willing to go out on a limb for the shirt, particularly when it comes to London derbies.
West Ham are a real working man’s club, with traditional views on the game. Therefore when these London derbies come around, the fans and players are quick to remind the world they mean business.
It’ll be interesting to see how Jack Wilshere fares on this occasion, because as he mentioned, he’s never played against Arsenal before.
I assume the home fans will give him just as much respect as the away fans, as his departure was by no means bitter. He simply didn’t fit into Unai Emery’s plans, and the Spaniard didn’t share the same sentimentality which Arsene Wenger held.
Do you think Wilshere’s return to the Emirates Stadium will be fruitful?