Paul Merson: 'AC Milan a good choice for Jack Wilshere'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 11 November 2017

Paul Merson believes that Jack Wilshere is deserving of a place in the England squad, but admits that he will likely have to leave Arsenal to kickstart his career.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has urged Jack Wilshere to leave North London at the end of the season and try his luck abroad at 'a club like AC Milan'.

The 25-year-old reportedly turned down the chance to join the Italian giants in the summer of 2016, instead opting for a season-long loan with Bournemouth.

Wilshere had mixed success on the south coast and has since seen his Arsenal career stutter, being used for a total of just 25 minutes in the Premier League so far this term.

England boss Gareth Southgate has also warned the midfielder that he will not earn an international recall unless he is playing regularly, meaning a likely Emirates Stadium exit in the eyes of Merson.

"I don't think Jack is a ten," he told Sky Sports News. "I think he is a deeper player, but he is not playing deeper. You'd have to ask Arsene [Wenger] why that was. [Southgate] has called up Jack Cork, who I like and think is a good player, but Jack Wilshere has got to move.

"It is alright Arsene Wenger saying a fit Jack Wilshere gets in the England team, but you have to play for Arsenal. But at the same time, [Jesse] Lingard has started less games than Wilshere. The way he plays, I think going abroad probably suits him and his game, otherwise he is going to go to a relegation-battling team, and that is not his game.

"He needs to get on the ball and play football and be in a team that really are going to have a lot more of the ball than not. So probably abroad to an AC Milan or somewhere like that."

Wilshere has been used six times in cup competitions in 2017-18, with four of those outings coming in the Europa League.