MIKEL ARTETA has offered Jack Wilshere the potential chance to seal a dream return to Arsenal.
The 29-year-old has been training with Serie B side Como and a permanent switch to Italy seemed to be imminent for the free agent.
But the midfielder’s hopes of clinching a deal with them hit the skids due to passport issues.
Como confirmed Wilshere’s eligibility problems on their Twitter account during last week’s deadline day, announcing he could not be registered as he does not have an EU passport.
However, under-pressure Arsenal boss Arteta appears to have thrown a lifeline to his former team-mate coming back to the Emirates.
And the Spaniard, whose side sit winless and bottom of the Premier League, admitted today that the ‘door is always open’ to Wilshere returning.
When quizzed about whether the ex-England international could train with them, Arteta said: “He’s someone that I know, that I shared a dressing room with.
“He’s so loved around the club with every person here. Our doors are always open.”
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Wilshere spent five years playing alongside Arteta back in his Arsenal days and freely admits he would love to go back.
But he also admitted last winter that the move is unlikely to happen at this stage of his career.
Wilshere, who was released by Bournemouth after spending the second half of last season in the Championship, told the ITV Football Football Show: “Listen, you never know. I’m an Arsenal man.
“I’ve not spoken to anyone or anything but that would be the dream.
“I’m not stupid to know that there’s probably no chance of it happening but I’m an Arsenal man, I love the club and want to see the club do well.”
Wilshere was Arsenal’s youngest ever debutant at 16.
But after his breakthrough under Arsene Wenger he was unfortunately ravaged by injury.
He enjoyed a loan spell at Bournemouth during the 2016/17 campaign and went on to feature 40 times for the North London side the next season.
However, Unai Emery’s arrival signalled the end of his time at the Emirates and he departed for West Ham in 2018 but was allowed to leave the Hammers a year ago after playing 16 times in the top-flight for them.
Should Wilshere return to the Gunners then he would also be following some legendary names in making a comeback for the club.
Thierry Henry re-joined Arsenal on loan from New York Red Bulls in 2012, Sol Campbell also made a comeback after a four-year absence back in the 2010 campaign.
Freddie Ljungberg also came back to the club as a coach in 2018 and went on to be Emery’s No2 before taking over as caretaker prior Arteta’s arrival in the dug-out.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
