Jack Wilshere to leave Arsenal this summer when contract expires

Jack Wilshere has announced he will leave Arsenal after 17 years at the end of his contract this summer.

The midfielder, who was left out of Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup this summer, has been in negotiations over a deal with the club for some months, but has called time on his career at the Emirates with a statement on Instagram.

The 26-year-old, who spent a season on loan with Bournemouth in 2016-17, has seen his Arsenal career plagued by injuries but has racked up 198 appearances for the north London club, scoring 14 goals. His last appearance came in the 5-0 win over Burnley in Arsene Wenger's final home game.

Having worked his way back into the side during the latter stages of Wenger's final season at the club, Wilshere, as Standard Sport first reported earlier this month, met with new manager Unai Emery last week, but did not get the answers he was looking for.

In a statement, Wilshere said: "I can confirm that I will be leaving Arsenal Football Club when my contract expires at the end of June.

"Following a number of extensive conversations with those at the club, and in particular a recent meeting with the new manager, Unai Emery, I felt that I was ultimately left with little choice but to make the decision that I have due purely to 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 the view to signing a new contract to extend my stay at the Emirates.

"My intention throughout these discussions has always been to remain an 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 a deal to sign a financially reduced contract in order to commit my future to the club."

Wilshere has already been linked with Wolves, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Southampton this summer, with Eagles boss Roy Hodgson keen to reunite with the midfielder he worked alongside with England.

Hodgson is also looking to form a midfield pair of Wilshere and Serbian Luka Milivojevic, who is currently at the World Cup.

Juventus have been tracking Wilshere for years and have been keeping a close eye on recent developments. They are believed to be ready to offer a four-year deal but AC Milan and Napoli have asked to be kept informed.

Wilshere has not ruled out moving abroad but has a young family and is settled in England.

But he recognises he is at a significant crossroads in his career and will take his time before deciding his next move.

“I’m sure everyone understands that at this point in my life and career I need to be playing first-team football. Following my meeting with Mr Emery, I came away feeling that it would be very difficult for me to do so at Arsenal,” he wrote on Instagram. “I feel I have no option but to pursue other opportunities.”