Bournemouth: Jack Wilshere no priority for Eddie Howe

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has stressed the team is more important than Jack Wilshere as they prepare to take on Hull.

Eddie Howe insists Jack Wilshere playing 90 minutes is not among his priorities as Bournemouth prepare to take on Hull City.

Wilshere joined Bournemouth from Arsenal on a one-year loan deal in an attempt to get his career back on track, but he is yet to complete a full game for the Cherries.

Nevertheless, Howe is adamant the team is what matter most to him, not Wilshere's playing time.

"The 90 minutes with Wilshere will come, but it is not high on my agenda to talk about. The team is the most important," Howe said at a news conference ahead of the Tigers' visit to Vitality Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.

"We know the importance of this game. But we know the importance of every game. We feel the pressure in every match to perform and pick up points. Ultimately that is what will get you where you want to be at the end of the season.

"They have certainly started the season very well. The most impressive thing [Mike] Phelan has done is change the way they play, they are a very attractive team to watch. We know they are going to pose a threat, but as always we need to focus on our own preparation in the build-up to the game.

"Every home game, especially with the form we are in at home, we feel is very, very important. As a footballer you should enjoy coming out to play at home in front of your own supporters."

Winless Arsenal Frustrated By Champions Leicester

English Premier League 

Result: Leicester City 0-0 Arsenal 

Date: 20 August 2016

Venue: King Power Stadium

Arsenal remain winless in the Premier League, after they played out a goalless draw with champions Leicester City on Saturday evening

Laurent Koscielny made a return to the Gunners line-up, while Granit Xhaka made his first start since joining in the off-season.

After a cagey opening spell, the first save of the half arrived after 30 minutes when Kasper Schmeichel produced a fine save to keep out Santi Cazorla's free-kick, which look destined for the far corner.

The game opened up in the final five minutes of the half, with Arsenal looking lively with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez.

Nonetheless, the score remained level at 0-0 as the sides entered the halftime break.

The Premier League champions were dealt a blow after 53 minutes when Nampalys Mendy was forced off due to injury. He was replaced by Andy King.

The Foxes should have taken the lead after 69 minutes when Jamie Vardy was let through on goal, however the England international blazed his effort horribly wide.

Arsene Wenger opted to make a double change with 20 minutes remaining, as he introduced Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil.

Leicester nearly snatched the win in stoppage time, but Petr Cech produced a fine save to deny Riyad Mahrez from close range, as both sides settled for a point.

Jack Wilshere sends message to new Newcastle signing Isaac Hayden

Jack Wilshere has congratulated Isaac Hayden on his transfer from Arsenal to Newcastle.

Arsenal's Isaac Hayden

England international Jack Wilshere has congratulated Isaac Hayden on his transfer from Arsenal to Newcastle United.

Hayden clinched a permanent switch to Newcastle on Monday, where he hopes to become a key part of Rafa Benitez's side, who are targeting promotion back to the Premier League.

Hayden has been at Arsenal since he was a youngster and captained the under-21 side. He had hoped to establish himself as a first team player alongside Jack Wilshere, but it was not meant to be.

Nonetheless his pal reached out to him publicly to wish him all the best.

Good luck at @NUFC @IsaacHayden65 all the best pal!

— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) July 11, 2016

England's Jack Wilshere during training

Hayden made his debut for Arsenal in the League Cup tie in 2013, a game in which Wilshere did not feature, but he did play alongside established names like Per Mertesacker and Nacho Monreal.

An England youth international, Newcastle have bought a potential bargain, who has experience playing in the Championship for Hull City next year.

Now he has the chance to be his own man, and not worry about trying to make the grade at Arsenal, and can devote himself entirely to his new club.

Isaac Hayden celebrates scoring the sixth goal for Hull City.

'Mourinho could build Man Utd team around Wilshere'

Gordon McQueen believes the England international would be a great summer signing for the Old Trafford outfit but feels £200 million will not be enough to transform the squad

New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho could build a team around Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere at Old Trafford, according to former Red Devils defender Gordon McQueen.

Mourinho has replaced Louis van Gaal with the task of returning United to the top of both the English and European game following three relatively barren campaigns at the Theatre of Dreams.

And McQueen - who played over 180 matches for the club in a seven-year spell - believes England international Wilshere would be the perfect signing for Mourinho to form his new-look side around if he can stay injury-free.

"United could build a team around a fit Jack Wilshere, but right now I doubt Arsenal would sell him," he told Goal. "They let Robin van Persie go to United, so you never know.

"United are a huge club and big-name players will always listen to them, but they are not in the Champions League next season and that will work against them."

Mourinho will reportedly be given around £200 million to spend on new signings this summer while a host of new players are set to depart the club as the Portuguese plans a massive overhaul on his playing staff.

But McQueen does not think an influx of new signings will be enough to drastically change the team's fortunes due to the amount of other clubs who are set to spend big this summer.

"I don't think £200m will be anywhere near enough. The money involved nowadays has gone crazy," he argued.

"Mourinho will spend every penny he is given, he has to, but he will also have to look closely at what he has already got before deciding where to strengthen and who he can realistically afford.

"He will have to sell some of his assets - players like Juan Mata will go. He already sold him once when they were at Chelsea together. His most sellable asset is Anthony Martial but that would get him off on the wrong foot with the United fans.

"His budget will be less than Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, who already have a much stronger squad, so there will have to be a lot of wheeling and dealing. Mourinho will have to show his skills in the marketplace to make United competitive."

Building Atlanta United: Pros and cons of Tomas Rosicky

This is another in a series in which AJC reporter Doug Roberson will begin to look at Atlanta United’s possible player signings ahead of their 2017 inaugural season in MLS. Some potential signings, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, may be considered fanciful, and rightfully so. Some may be so practical as to be obvious.

You can follow Roberson for news about Atlanta United on twitter @DougRobersonAJC, and bookmark the paper’s Atlanta United page.

Here is the series so far:

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky.

PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is reportedly signing with Manchester United

Liverpool’s Kolo Toure

Manchester United’s Michael Carrick, who is reported re-signing with Manchester United

A.C. Milan’s Alex

Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes

Wolfsburg striker Nicklas Bendtner

-

Today’s chapter:

Tomas Rosicky, midfielder

Formerly of Arsenal

One in a long line of “game-changing” midfielders to sign with Arsenal and never fulfill their potential. Scored just 19 goals in 170 appearances.

Pros: When the Czech plays, he is fun to watch. His goal in a recent friendly against Russia was a thing of beauty. It’s the kind of skill that few players have and would be an asset for any team.

He seems to have leadership/mentoring qualities. ESPNFC quoted Gunner Jack Wilshere with saying that Rosicky helped his development, with Rosicky saying: “All the young English guys when I came here grew up alongside me, I have seen them since they were 16 years old basically — Jack, Theo [Walcott], the Ox [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain], Aaron [Ramsey] and Kieran Gibbs, so many,” Rosicky said.

“I have seen them grow from little lads to the big players they are now and this makes me proud that I had an influence on their growth and education. That is why it is really difficult to leave.”

Cons: It took him 10 years to reach 170 appearances because of injuries. That’s why it would be hard to imagine that a team in the MLS, with its travel, heat, turf fields, would be interested in signing Rosicky, and why he would be interested in a move to the U.S.

Arsenal: Jack Wilshere reveals main reason for constant injury troubles

Jack Wilshere admits that his playing style could be the reason for his injury troubles, which has seen him miss chunks of the season in recent years, but believes it will be hard for him to change it at this stage. The English midfielder made his first appearance of the season during Arsenal's 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Lights following his recovery from a fibula fracture that he suffered during training just before the start of the season in August last year.

The 24-year-old midfielder has suffered from a number of injuries since breaking into the first-team in 2008, and he believes that most of them have been contact injuries that are a result of his playing style, which involves him running at players with the ball. Wilshere explained that the thought of changing his style did cross his mind during his time away from the pitch, but his talent is when he takes on players with the ball close to his feet.

Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi recently praised Wilshere for his influence on the academy stars, while labeling the England international as the master of the no-touch turn. The Arsenal No 10's return from injury will be a big boost for Arsene Wenger and Roy Hodgson, who is keen to include him in the squad for the European Championship finals in France later this year. He is likely to make his second appearance of the campaign when the Gunners take on Norwich City on 30 April.

"I don't think there is anything I can do differently. All my injuries have been impact injuries and I have been a little bit unfortunate at times when I have maybe overrun the ball a little bit, so maybe I can work on dribbling with the ball closer to my foot," Wilshere told Arsenal's official site.

"I'm not one of those players who is blessed with Theo's pace who can run behind you. When I'm on the ball, I have to get close to [the defender], which is going to cause him to attempt to tackle me or mistime it as we have seen in the past. That is part of my game."

"When I was injured, I read a few things and I was thinking maybe they were right. Maybe I should pass it a little bit more or a little bit quicker, but as soon as I get back on the ball and there is an opportunity for me to run at someone, that is what I want to do. I don't think I can change," the English midfielder stressed.

"I have just got to train every day. I have never really had injuries with my muscles, or any problems like that. It is just impact injuries. Hopefully I can avoid them."

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere slammed by neighbours over 18ft-high net at Hertfordshire home

Arsenal footballer Jack Wilshere has reportedly infuriated his next-door neighbours by erecting an 18ft-high net in his garden.

The England midfield ace has been accused of causing a “monstrosity” for residents in Hertfordshire.

A couple, who have not been named, are believed to have lodged a complaint to St Albans City and District Council.

According to the Sun, they said: “We presumed the netting was for his children, but Jack told us it was for his own football practice.

“He can’t be very good at scoring if he needs so much netting to stop balls flying everywhere. And why is he practising in his back garden? Isn’t that what he goes to training for?

“We believe he should have had planning permission before putting up such a huge monstrosity.”

In a letter to the council, seen by the newspaper, neighbours said: “In windy conditions we fear it might keel over and damage our property. 

“It also makes an annoying noise.”

A council spokeswoman said: “If we receive a complaint our team usually take a look and give the householder advice as to whether they need planning permission.”

A spokesman for the 24-year-old, currently out with a fractured fibula, told the Sun: “It’s a private matter and being dealt with.”

Report: Jack Wilshere fitness boost for Arsenal, Ramsey could miss rest of season

There is mixed injury news for Arsenal regarding two of their young midfield stars, report The Mail.

The paper claim England international Jack Wilshere has now begun light training sessions as he steps up his recovery.

Wilshere suffered a fracture in his leg in pre-season and has not made a single appearance.

He is not likely to return for the Gunners until April, but a comeback in a key month of the season would be a considerable boost for their title chances, as well as giving his teammates a lift.

A less positive outlook surrounds Welshman Aaron Ramsey, who went off with a thigh strain during Arsenal's 4-0 FA Cup win over Hull City.

The Mail claim Ramsey faces six weeks out, but this will only mean he would return for the final two games of the campaign, and it is noted that a worst case scenario would mean the midfielder missing the rest of the season.

Ramsey's injury makes the prospect of a Wilshere return even more important, although after multiple setbacks, the last thing Arsenal should do is rush him.