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Arsenal news: Paul Merson makes extraordinary claim over Jack Wilshere contract situation
ARSENAL want Jack Wilshere to leave the club - that is why they are offering him less money each week.
Arsenal's Jack Wilshere scores impressive volley in training
That is the strong opinion of Sky Sports pundit and former Arsenal forward Paul Merson.
Wilshere is out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the current season.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has always publicly maintained he wants Wilshere to stay and the player has reciprocated that view himself.
Arsenal are reportedly putting a lower wage on the table for Wilshere with added incentives due to his wretched injury record.
Arsenal do not want Jack Wilshere to sign a new contract, claims Merson
They want him to say that he wants to leave
Wenger this week claimed Wilshere could become captain if he stays but Merson does not believe he wants that to happen.
“What you said, £120,000-a-week down to £80,000-a-week, that tells me that they want him to leave,” Merson said.
“They want him to say that he wants to leave.
“They don’t want to be seen to letting go another top player.
Merson is shocked at Arsenal's contract offer to Jack Wilshere
“They want to be going ‘well we tried but he wants to leave’.
“They’re rumoured (figures) but you know what it’s like, there’s no smoke without fire.
“If he’s their captain then he’s their best player. Why would he have to take less?”
Wilshere has played every minute of Arsenal's last eight Premier League games.
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