Jack Wilshere has joked he will take a lads' trip to Zante as he looks to find solace after missing out on Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup.
Southgate informed Wilshere he would not be part of his 23-man squad on Tuesday via a telephone call and it is understood he will not be on the stand-by list either.
The Arsenal midfielder would have been left pondering how to fill his summer after being snubbed by the England boss.
However, shortly after the news broke, Wilshere was invited to join a lads' holiday to Greece and seemed keen to tag along.
After being asked if he wants to go to Zante on Twitter, Wilshere replied: 'Let me know the dates and I'm in.'
He later clarified he could only go providing he could bring his newly-born baby daughter Siena.
Despite finding the funny side of his situation, Wilshere will undoubtedly be bitterly disappointed to miss out on the World Cup, having performed well enough towards the end of the season to be considered for a spot on the plane.
Southgate is however set to name Fabian Delph in his place of the Arsenal man following an impressive season for Manchester City.
KwakwaCsee
1
simple fact is he hasn't been that good this season.
But neither has lallana at least wilshere has shown that he belongs back into the team
Lunghi
1
I know that Wilshere hasn't been on his best and I know Lallana is a good player but why put in Lallana who hasn't played all season than Wilshere who can pick up is form in the World Cup.
Libcdloru
2
The board has done more harm than good
1512ldk
2
Southgate ru happy. now
yeacmoruz
1
so disappointing
enjoying
2
simple fact is he hasn't been that good this season.
Wednesday
0
He was good early on and on the middle of the season. His form of late has been poor. I think it's a bit harsh for him to not make it considering the other English midfielders.
poiully
0
How can you say that? He's had a few poor games recently but you can't just remove the 5 months before that where he was very good, especially when he has the qualities which other England midfielders don't have.
capitalise
0
0-0 broker better he can on that plane
initiative
0
Damn i actually feel bad for this guy i remember when he bossed barcas midfield at such a young age shame that he never became that world class player I thought he would
lopsided
0
Not sure about this one, Feel like we need him in the squad as he's different then all the other midfielders we have. Don't think he should start but think he should be in the squad if we're stuck in a 0-0 stalemate to put on.
Tuesday
0
you're probably right in the sense that he doesn't deserve to be on the wc squad after not being on the qualifying squad, but i have to disagree with your take on his form. thought he was consistently a spark of creativity for us going forward this year in both domestic and European competitions. ended up in arsene's starting 11 by the end of the campaign. just my two cents, but i felt like Wilshere was finally hitting the type of form and class that his potential always showed was there. dude got an assist in a europa league sem-final vs atletico ffs! it was quite the special moment after all the injuries he's gone through.
zusammae
0
Most the best players out the youth teams are wide players, full backs, attacking midfielders, and strikers. Not a great deal of them are proper midfielders (centre back depth isn't great either). There's been a real problem with English football in recent years where talented players get indulged and made into number 10's or else wide players when they could so clearly be made into very good central midfielders with some discipline in their game - see Ross Barkley, and up till this season, Oxlade-Chamberlain. With that said, unless injuries do him in (a legitimate possibility) Loftus-Cheek has absolutely everything to be a brilliant central midfielder, and Lewis Cook will surely move on to better things than Bournemouth sooner rather than later
unclelim
0
Jesus Christ Livermore is an option. Out of your great youth teams who is an up and coming midfield talent? We got lucky that following Iniesta, Xabi, and Xavi we got Koke, Thiago, and Isco. Lampard and Gerrard retired 4 yeas ago and still no one has come up since then that's a damn shame.
Colinkong
0
All depends who is in the squad. Southgate will probably bring 4 central midfielders in the squad. Henderson and Dier will be on the plane and then I can imagine a combination of Livermore, Delph, Loftus Cheek, Wilshere and Cook will have been considered for the other two places. I think Delph might have crept into the squad too so potentially one spot from the others.
Costar
0
He had a decent season overall. He was one of our best players over the winter period but that small injury in March set him back a bit. He's been good the last couple of games though. Not taking him to Russia is a big mistake imo.
Loversad
0
Does Jonjo Shelvey deserve a spot? His performance against Chelsea was amazing.
realmans
0
I think having kids and the Bournemouth experiences have changed him, he seems to be taking much better care of himself. I still maintain that Wenger was part of the reason Arsenal always had injuries and now he's gone, I think Wilshere has a shot at Euro 2020 at least.
Adrianer
0
Not going to get into the debate on wether or not he should be on the plane, but damn that's gotta hurt for Jack. First season in a long time where he's managed to play regularly and largely stay off the injury table. If he doesn't make this squad, he'll be 30 next WC and who knows what condition his ankles will be then.
Adrianer
0
Henderson did well for assists when he played box-to-box for Liverpool in 13/14, and clearly Alli offers a threat. A lot of the English midfielders aren't glamorous, but they can be effective if used correctly.
upup112
0
Dele 17/18: 32 Games played, 2702 Mins played, 77% pass accuracy Wilshere 17/18: 19 Games, 1122 Mins played, 86% pass accuracy Add to the fact Wilshere is coming back from injury and Alli is basically a striker for spurs where as Wilshere's often deeper in midfield. Wilshere is more of a controller where as Alli is final product, they would ideally both be on the pitch at the same time.
Curry9
0
As England don’t make it out of the group again with a midfield of guys who can’t pass
Turkeys
0
Delph would be in as a multi-position option. Central midfield (particularly defensive) and left-sided player if needed. It's gonna be a 343 type formation and he works well in that. Wilshere doesn't fit anywhere. Can't play one of the two central midfield positions and isn't dynamic enough to play further forward with these players.
rigorous
0
Covers LB as well, he’s just more useful than Wilshere and won’t break whilst out there. They both add much needed bite to the midfield, but Delph has had a great season and deserves it for sure. I really like him at CM, but don’t expect him to see many minute really. We might miss Wilshere’s ability to drive the call forward through the middle though, but I can see most teams we face siting deep instead, where that dribbling ability is less useful.
Trinityby
0
The difference is that Delph is a natural CM. You don’t suddenly forget how to play in your natural position. Jack is living off of his past hype. Did nothing at Bournemouth and has been below par for Arsenal this year. He’s literally done nothing to deserve an England place. Meanwhile Delph has fit straight into the league winning team this season with no problem and actually played well.
Dirk41
0
Can understand leaving Wilsh out for a better option but how can you put Delph in over him when his good form is based off performances at LB?
Robinsonde
0
Did not expect Wilshere out, I still think he'd have been a good sub option to bring on when you want to keep the ball. Seems Delph is in instead as a pure central midfield option.
yummybe
0
Might as well stick Kane in goal, won't be needing him anyway.
nanik
0
The classic 9-0-1. It can't fail.
opinion
0
Who do you suggest as the midfielders? Genuine question.
macadam
0
I don't understand how Lallana can get in over Wilshere when he's been injured almost all season tho? that's the exact same thing everyone was moaning about when Wilshere was in the Euro 2016 squad.
Africana
0
This is England we’re talking about, you’ll be lucky to see a creative midfielder in the 23 man squad let alone on the pitch.
hundred
0
He's played well for you recently but I don't think it warrants a place on the plane.
Postmanin
0
He's only played well 6 times all season and they were the last 6 games. Timing it just right Jakey boy!
Mitte
0
it's better he's not going so thAt he can rest for Arsenal for season.. because England are coming back after the group stage
very true I don't see England pass the group stage.
raheem_CFC
1
Wilshire actually snub the world cup?? and so much ppl need to get in.. what a waste
The-LeoMessi-CULE123
2
I hope Wiltshire gets another call up for England one day. He really does have the class but just can’t seem to string a season together to make him viable/reliable as an England string puller. It’s a huge shame because there’s not much quality in the England CM - a least none with his vision and touch. Would like to see him finally hit stride.
Yes...I wanted to see him in the squad!!
KvngOzeal
3
it's better he's not going so thAt he can rest for Arsenal for season.. because England are coming back after the group stage
foreverfor
1
Zante is a great place he should definitely go
Eugener
1
I hope Wiltshire gets another call up for England one day. He really does have the class but just can’t seem to string a season together to make him viable/reliable as an England string puller. It’s a huge shame because there’s not much quality in the England CM - a least none with his vision and touch. Would like to see him finally hit stride.
Waynens
2
He can get a good rest over the summer now...glad.
thirtyhao
0
Jack is out while delph is in as a mid fielder? He did not even play a single match for city as a midfielder and the team has so many defenders, am worried now if South Gate is planning to do Maurinho in Russia ...
jealousyh
0
Everyone who did not want Jack in the squad has got their wish. If he really was the problem with England now he is out will they win the WC?
over36
0
People thinks he's bothered? Why be bothered, get longer time off for a millionaire to play, then watch England come home after a week being slaughtered in the press.
wepekln
0
Don't worry Jack they will be joining you very soon
pooped
0
Some posh hotel playing cards with Danny welbeck or living it up in zante taking class as with the boys???? Hard
Ascis
0
Jack the Lad!!!!! Yes, more up his alley smoking and boozing rather than applying himself to his trade and winning a place. Role model..!!!
useless
0
Delph instead of Wilshire? Hmmmm
hossttry
0
The writing was surely on the wall the minute he pulled out the last squad given he'd never previously played a minute under Southgate
ponderous
0
Southgate has that pic of Nolefthandside Hart and Wilshere sharing a cig in a pool from a couple of years back. The right decision.