Former Arsenal Midfielder Ray Parlour Supports Jack Wilshere’s Decision To Quit Arsenal For West Ham

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has admitted that he is “gutted” after Jack Wilshere left

the club to join West Ham

Jack Wilshere brought to an end his 17-year Arsenal career last week, leaving on a free transfer

at the end of his contract.

West Ham signed up the England international on a three-year deal, and Parlour praised

Wilshere for pursuing regular first-team football rather than taking the easy option to stay at the

Emirates Stadium.

“Jack Wilshere has made a big decision and it was his to make. He met the manager and

realised he might have been third or fourth in the pecking order. As a player who has missed so

much football, he needs to play,” Parlour is quoted as saying by PA.

“I’m gutted that he’s left because I would love to see him still in an Arsenal shirt, but I’m really

pleased he’s gone to a club to play football because there is nothing worse than training hard

all week and then sitting in the stands.

“West Ham have got a very good signing there. We always look at his fitness record, but if he

can stay fit we all know how good he is. That is what West Ham have to manage now.

“He is going to be their main man in midfield and will get a lot of game time. He is a

magnificent player – there are only two players I’ve seen as youngsters come straight through

to the first team that I have thought, ‘These are going to be top, top stars’. One was Jack and

the other Cesc Fabregas.”