OFFICIAL: Ex-Arsenal player Jack Wilshere announces retirement at the age of 30

Jack Wilshere has announced his retirement from football at the age of 30.

The former Arsenal and England midfielder has decided to call time on a playing career that saw him make 182 Premier League appearances and earn 34 caps for his country.

Wilshere had spent last last season with Danish side Aarhus but they announced this week that the former England international would not be returning next term.

The two-time FA Cup winner spent 17 years with Arsenal, rising through the youth ranks before making his first-team debut in 2008 and becoming the club's youngest league debutant at the age of 16 years and 256 days.

He made 197 first-team appearances for Arsenal, before leaving in 2018 to seek more chance of first-team football following the arrival of Unai Emery.

Wilshere, who also won the Community Shield with Arsenal as well as several individual honours including the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2010-11, played 36 times in stints at West Ham and Bournemouth.

After training with former club Arsenal while a free agent, he signed a short-term deal with Aarhus in February but has now opted to hang up his boots.

It is no doubt an extremely sad news for the Gunners.