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Mikel Arteta has been quoted by the Evening Standard as responding to questions on a potential return to Arsenal for free agent Jack Wilshere – and whether a move for Inter Milan and ex-Tottenham star Christian Eriksen could materialise.
Wilshere, 28, is a free agent after leaving West Ham in the summer. He is currently training in Dubai and told The National that while it would be a “dream come true” to rejoin Arsenal, it is probably a “ship that has sailed”.
Meanwhile, ESPN have claimed that Arsenal have been offered Eriksen for a bargain £12million – a smaller price than the one Inter paid to land the 103-time Denmark international in January from Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Norwegian side Molde, Arteta addressed both Wilshere and Eriksen and whether either player could be on their way to The Emirates this summer – but was in a tight-fisted mood.
“We haven’t analysed that situation,” Arteta said on Wilshere. “What I can tell you about Jack is what I’ve said in the past, as a player, as a teammate and as a person I rate him really really highly. Unfortunately, at the moment we haven’t looked at that.”
On Eriksen, Arteta gave little away – saying: “There are a lot of players out there that could improve any team. But obviously we are not going to discuss any individuals.”
TBR’s view – So, should Arsenal move for either player?
When Wilshere is fit, he is good enough to play for England and Arsenal. Still only 28, he offers enormous quality – but his fitness will be a question mark right up until the point in which he takes to the field once again. He is enormously injury prone.
Eriksen, meanwhile, is in the worst form of his life. Tailing off towards the end of his time at Tottenham, his form at Inter has been desperate – scoring just four goals in 33 Inter outings. Given his £260k-a-week (Guardian) wages, he is not good enough.
Wilshere is the lower-risk move, but even landing the free agent has problems. Arsenal should avoid both and look elsewhere.
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