Jack Wilshere has confirmed he will leave Arsenal this summer, saying he was left with “no option but to pursue other opportunities.”
Wilshere’s contract had been set to expire in two weeks, and the 26-year-old has agreed to move on after learning he would see his playing time reduced under new Arsenal coach Unai Emery.
The move comes amid multiple reports that say Emery is set to sign Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira, who is at the World Cup with Uruguay.
“I can confirm that I will be leaving Arsenal when my contract expires at the end of June,” Wilshere wrote. “Following a number of extensive conversations with those art the club, and in particular a recent meeting with new manager Unai Emery, I felt that I was ultimately left with little choice but to make the decision that I have due to purely footballing reasons.
“As has widely been reported, I, along with my representative have been in talks with the club for a number of months with a view to signing a new contract to extend my stay at the Emirartes.”
Wilshere confirmed he had been willing to take a pay cut to stay with the club he joined as a nine-year-old, but ultimately had to choose consistent minutes over his loyalty to Arsenal.
“My intention throughout these discussions has always been to remain and Arsenal player. I have been on the books at Arsenal for 17 years and have always felt part of the fabric of the club. Such was my desire to stay that I had in fact recently agreed to sign a financially reduced contract in order to commit my future to the club.
“However following my meeting with the new manager I was made aware that although the reduced contract offer remaining, it was made clear to me that my playing time would be significantly reduced should I decide to stay.
“I am sure everyone can understand that at this point in my life and career I need to be playing regular first team football and following my meeting with Mr Emery I came away feeling that it would be very difficult to do so at Arsenal.
“Given this, I feel I have no option but to pursue other opportunities in order to progress my career on the pitch.”
Wilshere made his first-team debut in 2008 to become Arsenal’s youngest-ever league player at 16. He went on to make 197 appearances with the club while also spending time on loan with Bolton and Bournemouth.
Arsenal thanked Wilshere “for your contribution and the fantastic memories” in a statement on the club website.
“Everyone at Arsenal would like to wish Jack Wilshere a successful future following his decision to seek new opportunities,” the club wrote.
A number of Premier League clubs have been linked with Wilshere in recent weeks, including Crystal Palace, West Ham and Wolves. Juventus have reportedly also been interested in signing the midfielder, who missed out on England’s World Cup squad despite making 38 appearances in all competitions this past season.
Earlier on Tuesday, Arsenal completed the signing of goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen, throwing Petr Cech’s future at the club into doubt in the process.
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