Clubless Wilshere Contemplates Retirement
Jack Wilshere has admitted he has considered retiring from football as he struggles to find a new club.
Wilshere is currently a free agent after leaving Bournemouth at the end of the 2020/2021 season.
Wilshere made 17 appearances in all competitions and scored two goals after joining Bournemouth on a short-term contract in January but that was not enough to secure a permanent stay at the Vitality Stadium.
Wilshere has endured injury problems throughout his career and made just 19 appearances in two years at West Ham United after leaving Arsenal in 2018.
Wilshere has recently spent time training with Serie B side Como and Arsenal but as he is yet to find a new club he is also trying his hands at coaching with the Gunners' under-23 side.
When asked about the possibility of retirement by BBC Sport, Wilshere replied: "I have to think about it.
"That is why I am doing the coaching. I have been forced into doing it a little bit but I am grateful for the opportunity."
The 29-year-old is adamant he still has what it takes to perform at the highest level if the opportunity presents itself.
"I 100 per cent think I can still play," he added. "I don't care what people say or write or what they say on social media.
"I am an honest guy. If I didn't think I could, I would be the first to say: 'Enough, I am going to do something else'.
"But I am almost at the point where I think something different, abroad, might be beneficial to me."
Wilshere has won 34 caps for the England national team but it has been more than four years since his last international appearance.
