‘Sad you never became the player we knew you could’: Fans lament Jack Wilshere’s retirement at the age of just 30, as they claim he ‘would have been one of England and Arsenal’s greats’ but ‘injuries robbed you’
- Jack Wilshere won two FA cups in his time at Arsenal but struggled with injuries
- The 30-year-old won the BBC goal of the season award in 2013/14 and 2014/15
- Tributes have been coming in from fans and the midfielder’s former teammates
- His hometown’s local team tweeted a cheeky request for him to ‘help them out’
Fans and former teammates have been reminiscing about Jack Wilshere career after the former Arsenal and England midfielder announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 30.
The central midfielder won two FA Cups with Arsenal and was twice awarded the BBC goal of the season. Injuries hampered his career though, and Wilshere only managed 30 league games in a season once.
He also appeared 34 times for England and scored twice, with both goals coming in a 3-2 win over Slovenia in 2015.
Jack Wilshire has retired from professional football after an injury-affected career
Wilshere’s England teammate Darren Bent called playing with the midfielder a ‘pleasure’
There were tributes to Wilshere from various ex-colleagues from across his career
Wilshere’s former England and Arsenal teammate Danny Welbeck led the tributes to the midfielder’s career, tweeting: ‘What a player and what a guy. Love bro. All the best for your next chapter.’
His sentiments were shared by Tyrone Mings, another former teammate of Wilshere, who wrote: ‘What a pleasure it was to share the dressing room with you mate. Good luck in the next chapter pal.’
Darren Bent added: ”Been an absolute pleasure watching and playing alongside you boss, good luck with the new venture.’
Tyrone Mings wished the 30-year-old midfielder ‘good luck’ in the ‘next chapter’ of his career
The non-league side in Wilshere’s hometown sent him a cheeky offer of some semi-pro football
There were also fond memories and wonderings of what an injury-free Wilshere might have achieved from fans.
‘Sad you never became the player we knew you could Jack but loved watching every minute you played whether was for us or against us. All the best on the future’, tweeted one fan, while another said: ‘Would have been one of England and Arsenal’s greats for sure. Will never forget you at your best! Best of luck for the future, Jack.’
Other supporters looked to the future, tweeting: ‘This is tough for us to take as fans as well.. but I know the talent you have will find an outlet soon .
Fans wondered what might have been if Wilshere had spent more of his career injury free
‘We know the knowledge of this game will find a way to be shared with upcoming talent. Best wishes Jack in everything you do next.’
Wilshere’s retirement was even used as a tongue-in-cheek recruitment opportunity for his hometown’s seventh tier side Hitchin Town F.C. who tweeted: ‘You’ve had a great career and made your home town proud, Jack.
‘With your retirement from ‘professional’ football, it’s now time to help us out and sign on to start your semi-professional career obviously.’
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