Jack Wilshere takes aim at ‘lazy’ managers as ex-England and Arsenal star looks for new chance 

Jack Wilshere has laid bare his frustration at ‘lazy’ clubs and managers who consider him to be ‘an injury waiting to happen’ as he searches for another chance in football.

The former England and Arsenal midfielder, 29, is currently without a club after being released by Bournemouth at the end of last season.

Wilshere has been training with Italian Serie B club Como, where Dennis Wise works as the CEO, but cannot play for them because of rules around non-EU players.

Jack Wilshere believes the perception within football that he is ‘an injury waiting to happen’ is hindering his search for a new club 

The 29-year-old midfielder played 17 games for Bournemouth last season and is fully fit

The 29-year-old midfielder played 17 games for Bournemouth last season and is fully fit 

But he insists he is fully fit again after the constant injuries that have dogged his career and is desperate to change the view of him within the game.

‘I think there’s a perception and I’ve had this opinion from a few clubs: “Great player but an injury waiting to happen,” Wilshere told the Under The Surface podcast.

‘I haven’t been injured since before lockdown and it was not a serious injury. I’ve trained every day.

‘When I was at Bournemouth I was available for every single game, so I feel like it’s a lazy answer because I can [play].

‘Give me a chance, let me prove myself to you then, show you that I’m fit.’

Wilshere has been training with the Italian Serie B club Como in recent weeks as a free agent

Wilshere has been training with the Italian Serie B club Como in recent weeks as a free agent

Wilshere told CALM's Under the Surface podcast that rejection by clubs because of his injury record 'breaks your spirit'

Wilshere told CALM’s Under the Surface podcast that rejection by clubs because of his injury record ‘breaks your spirit’ 

Wilshere added: ‘It’s frustrating and it sort of breaks your spirit as well because you know especially when you’re training on your own and every day there’s not much you can do on your own.

‘You have to run and it’s hard and it’s boring and then to get that answer, it’s like “well why am I doing this? Why am I breaking myself every day?”

‘I’m waiting for that opportunity to come and I’m just getting answers like that.’

Wilshere says he went to train with an Italian club because his injury record was less well known but admits his current situation is difficult for his family.

Wilshere suffered numerous injury setbacks at Arsenal as he struggled to fulfil his potential

Wilshere suffered numerous injury setbacks at Arsenal as he struggled to fulfil his potential

Constant injuries have dogged Wilshere's career and he is desperate to change the view of him

Constant injuries have dogged Wilshere’s career and he is desperate to change the view of him

‘I’ve got a 10-year-old who is football mad, he loves football and he watches Sky Sports News,’ Wilshere said.

‘He sort of understands football and that’s probably one of the toughest parts explaining to him what’s going on because he’d always ask me if I’ve got a club yet or does anyone want you and I’m like “no”.

‘I think that’s all you can say, you have to be honest with him.’

Speaking on the podcast for the Original Penguin X Campaign Against Living Miserably, Wilshere added: ‘I had this conversation not long again with my Mrs.

‘I just said to her can you tell me when, not when I’m “mugging myself off” but when I’m trying, training every day on my own and I’m questioning it, having questions on why am I going this if the club is just saying no.

Wilshere won 34 caps for England, having made his debut for the national team aged 18

Wilshere won 34 caps for England, having made his debut for the national team aged 18

‘I said to the Mrs, “look just say to me when it’s enough, stop going to train your own and maybe try and focus on something else.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta last week said Wilshere would be allowed to train with his former club if he wished.

He said: ‘We are willing to help him as much as we possibly can. He knows that and that’s the situation.’  

However, when he was asked whether there was a chance Wilshere could make a sensational return to the club he joined aged nine, Arteta was unequivocal in his response, saying: ‘I wouldn’t take it that far.’

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Jack Wilshere can train with Arsenal while he finds a new club

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Jack Wilshere can train with Arsenal while he finds a new club

Arsene Wenger (R) says he feels responsible for the injuries Jack Wilshere (L) and Aaron Ramsey suffered earlier in their careers

Arsene Wenger (R) says he feels responsible for the injuries Jack Wilshere (L) and Aaron Ramsey suffered earlier in their careers

It comes as former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted he feels ‘very responsible’ for the injuries that Wilshere and also Aaron Ramsey suffered when they were young prospects. 

Although Wenger feels that the situation is now better for technical players as they have more protection, he regrets that VAR wasn’t in use when Wilshere and Ramsey were establishing themselves in the Arsenal team. 

Wenger told The Telegraph: ‘I see more positivity. Before there was more kicking and I must say the media allowed that. The VAR has brought more respect for the offensive game.

‘Sometimes the more technical guys were kicked. Why? It was not very encouraging. We have moved forward from that.

‘We always tried. It was a frustration sometimes. When I look back at players like Wilshere, Ramsey who have been injured early in their career and when you are a manager you feel very responsible for that.’