Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has thanked Jack Wilshere for his contribution to the club following his move to Denmark to sign for Aarhus.
The 30-year-old had been without a club since being released by Bournemouth in the summer and went back to London Colney to maintain fitness levels and complete his coaching badges.
Arsenal fans called for the club to re-sign Wilshere on a short-term contract given their lack of midfield options, but Arteta repeatedly insisted that the ex-England international would not return to the Emirates pitch.
Wilshere has now ended his search for a new club by penning a deal with Danish Superliga side Aarhus until the end of the season, and Arteta has paid tribute to the midfielder after his brief stint back at his boyhood club.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Thursday's Premier League showdown with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arteta said: "First of all thank you, it's been great to have him.
"Hopefully we have helped him a little bit as well. This group of players have given him that experience again on a daily basis how magnificent it feels to be a football player."
Wilshere registered 14 goals and 30 assists in 198 games for the Gunners, winning two FA Cups and the Community Shield before leaving on a free transfer for West Ham United in 2018.
Ben Knapton
