Speaking on The Debate, Charlie Nicholas believes Jack Wilshere should run his contract down and leave Arsenal Speaking on The Debate, Charlie Nicholas believes Jack Wilshere should run his contract down and leave Arsenal

Jack Wilshere should opt against signing a new contract at Arsenal and consider leaving the club, says Charlie Nicholas.

Wilshere is set to have talks over a new deal with the north London club at the end of the month and is free to discuss a move abroad when the transfer window opens in January.

But this season, the 25-year-old has been a bit-part player despite returning from a long-term injury at the start of August, having made just 14 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners.

And speaking on The Debate, former Arsenal forward Nicholas told Jeff Stelling that Wilshere should let his existing contract run down and leave the club if he wishes to get regular minutes.

The Sky Sports pundit said: "Personally, I want him to stay because his talent belongs at Arsenal. We will all question his fitness but that will happen wherever he goes.

"But because Arsenal are being dictated to by [Mesut] Ozil and [Alexis] Sanchez and others, they've forgotten about all the other parts of the team and they're held to ransom now. Wilshere is having to sit there and prove himself again.

"I want him to stay at Arsenal but if I'm Jack then I would say 'I should run this contract down' because he's got a big decision to make. Whether it's January or May then so be it."

2:51 West Ham 0-0 Arsenal West Ham 0-0 Arsenal

Andy Townsend also believes Wilshere needs to think about leaving if he's not going to play in a midfield position that he enjoys playing in.

"He needs to say to Arsene Wenger 'this is where I want to play,'" he said.

"If he asks Arsene Wenger and he says 'are you going to look me in the eye gaffer and tell me I'm going to play there for you'.

"If Wilshere hears the same old waffle then he should play somewhere else and on a regular basis."