Wilshere backs Arsenal to land Europa League

Arsenal can go on to win the Europa League this year, according to former long-time Gunners player Jack Wilshere.

This season has been one of renewal for Arsenal. They played their first season under Unai Emery following the departure of Arsene Wenger last summer after a lengthy 22-year tenure.

Emery has also had to make some unpopular decisions. He opted to part ways with Jack Wilshere last summer. The Englishman is capable of being one of the most destructive midfielders in the Premier League on his good days but has sadly seen his career progression hampered by misfortune. The England international has since joined West Ham but has spent the vast majority of the season on the sidelines through injury.

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Emery also opted to deploy Bernd Leno as his first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the veteran Petr Cech, who is set to retire at the end of the season.

While the results may not have been what was desired, Arsenal have been playing a positive brand of football, which is a contrast to the boring style which adopted during Wenger’s last two seasons at the club. They may not achieve Champions League football this season but Emery cannot be faulted. The club is in the middle of a rebuilding phase, which takes time. Emery has shown that he can identify top talent as he did with the likes of Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi.

Wilshere recently spoke of his former side’s failure to finish in the top four.

“They obviously had a few opportunities to cement their place in there, but it wasn’t to be,” he said, as quoted by Sky Sports.

“But they’ve still got the Europa League, and that’s another way in if they don’t get in via the top four.

“But I think they’ve had a good year. I think they’ll be happy, the fans will be happy, and hopefully they can win the Europa League and end with a trophy.”