Wilshere’s star continues to rise as Arsenal’s continues to fall

Gunners ace could depart

Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth yesterday extended their winless run to five matches.

The Gunners are now eight points adrift of fourth spot and face an uphill struggle to qualify for the Champions League.

Manager Arsene Wenger is under increasing pressure and looks set to lose star pair Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in the coming weeks.

However, things could be about to get a whole lot worse if midfield maestro Jack Wilshere fails to sign a new contract at the Emirates.

The 26-year-old has yet to pen a new deal in North London and could leave on a free transfer in the summer.

He has been Arsenal’s best player since returning from injury and will have no end of suitors if negotiations break down.

Wilshere is a lifelong Gunners fan so will not want to move away from the Emirates. But the situation has changed since speculation over his future first arose last summer.

Back then, questions were asked over whether the diminutive ace could return to the form that had seen him picked out as one of the game’s brightest stars all those years ago.

Uncertainty abounded over whether he could cope with a return to the Arsenal first team after such a long spell out with injury.

And quite simply, where would he fit into a Gunners side jam-packed with talent?

He has answered those questions in scintillating style. Wilshere has proved himself to be a player who Wenger cannot do without.

Now, the only questions being asked are whether the Gunners can keep hold of Wilshere after a succession of man-of-the-match performances.