Santi Cazorla has called on Jack Wilshere to join him at Villarreal after the midfielder announced he would leave Arsenal when his contract expires this summer.
The 26-year-old has been with the north London club since he was a schoolboy, but after dispiriting talks with new manager Unai Emery it was made clear that he would not have a significant role to play going forward.
Wilsheres exit marks something of an exodus at the Emirates, with long-reigning boss Arsene Wenger stepping down and playmaker Cazorla also electing to leave.
The Spaniard, who has been sidelined for the best part of two years, has returned to old club Villarreal where he will begin pre-season training and hopefully sign a new contract.
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Cazorla was one of the first Arsenal players to send their support to Wilshere after his decision to leave the club, and he has encouraged his teammate to join him in Spain.
More: Football
Replying to Wilsheres emotional Instagram message announcing his departure, Cazorla wrote: Super come with me please! I wish you all the best you are a great player and a top man.
Alexandre Lacazette, Hector Bellerin and Serge Gnabry were among the Arsenal players, past and present, who also responded to Wilsheres departure.
Writing on Instagram, Wilshere explained: I can confirm that I will be leaving Arsenal when my contract expires at the end of June.
Following a number of extensive conversations with those art the club, and in particular a recent meeting with new manager Unai Emery, I felt that I was ultimately left with little choice but to make the decision that I have due to purely footballing reasons.
More: Arsenal FC
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Santi Cazorla has called on Jack Wilshere to join him at Villarreal after the midfielder announced he would leave Arsenal when his contract expires this summer.
The 26-year-old has been with the north London club since he was a schoolboy, but after dispiriting talks with new manager Unai Emery it was made clear that he would not have a significant role to play going forward.
Wilsheres exit marks something of an exodus at the Emirates, with long-reigning boss Arsene Wenger stepping down and playmaker Cazorla also electing to leave.
The Spaniard, who has been sidelined for the best part of two years, has returned to old club Villarreal where he will begin pre-season training and hopefully sign a new contract.
Advertisement Advertisement
Cazorla was one of the first Arsenal players to send their support to Wilshere after his decision to leave the club, and he has encouraged his teammate to join him in Spain.
More: Football
Replying to Wilsheres emotional Instagram message announcing his departure, Cazorla wrote: Super come with me please! I wish you all the best you are a great player and a top man.
Alexandre Lacazette, Hector Bellerin and Serge Gnabry were among the Arsenal players, past and present, who also responded to Wilsheres departure.
Writing on Instagram, Wilshere explained: I can confirm that I will be leaving Arsenal when my contract expires at the end of June.
Following a number of extensive conversations with those art the club, and in particular a recent meeting with new manager Unai Emery, I felt that I was ultimately left with little choice but to make the decision that I have due to purely footballing reasons.
More: Arsenal FC
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