Jack Wilshere's Arsenal career appeared to be at rock bottom at the beginning of the season.
A shocking injury record had seen the Englishman miss nearly two full years of football and after the arrival of yet another midfielder in the summer (Granit Xhaka), Wilshere was deemed surplus to requirements for the current campaign.
Having made the surprise decision to spend a season on loan at Bournemouth, the 24-year-old is slowly starting to rebuild his career and confidence.
In fact, Wilshere had managed to feature in eight consecutive games for the Cherries until he sat out the 3-1 loss against his parent club Arsenal last weekend.
It looks like he will be back Gunners fans.
Jack Wilshere will get a new deal at Arsenal.
More: https://t.co/ayGMO4eXyU pic.twitter.com/RZ6VJitmrI
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has previously stated that Wilshere is still part of his plans and true to his word, the North London club appear ready to enter negotiations with the player over a new deal.
To some it may be a surprise, but having made his debut as a 16-year-old, Wilshere is a prized asset at the Emirates and is a true product of the club's academy. It's therefore inevitable thatWenger and his staff want the midfielder to finally become a mainstay in the side.
But whilst the contract extension may signify a show of faith in Wilshere, it is perhaps even more telling about the future of one of his Arsenal teammates.
Arsenal have missed Santi Cazorla's "technical stability," admits Arsene Wenger.https://t.co/uG6deIEDpt pic.twitter.com/KKUd0m9mnX
It's difficult to ignore the growing speculation surrounding Santi Cazorla and where he will be playing his football next season.
The Spaniard's current Achilles injury is arguably causing a bigger headache for his manager, than the player himself, as the Gunners continue to struggle without his presence in their midfield.
Despite returning to winning ways against Bournemouth, Arsenal still looked lacklustre throughout the matchand struggled to assert themselves on their opponents.
Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny and Aaron Ramsey have all struggled to impress in Cazorla's role, whilst £30m man Granit Xhaka is, in the words of his own manager, struggling to adapt to life in the Premier League.
But whilst Cazorla's loss continues to hurt the side, his employers have remained silent on a contract extension.
The Spaniard only has seven months left on his current deal at Arsenal and will be free to speak to foreign clubs as of the new year.
At Colney. Wenger: "Cazorla and Bellerin are still out. Lucas is in training today. He might be in contention for Wednesday (EFL Cup)."
It is understood that Cazorla is keen to extend his stay but as time ticks by, its looking more unlikely that an offer will be made by the Emirates hierarchy.
Understandably a poor injury record of late has raised questions about the Spanish Spaniard'slong term future in the game, whilst it should also be noted thathis 32nd birthday is now only weeks away.
A cocktail of age and poor fitness has made officials at the Emirates wary andalthough there remains time for Cazorla to prove his fitness, that chance is getting shorter by the day as June 30th edges ever closer.
The most telling aspect of this whole saga will be the new deal offered to Wilshere.
This was a player who was loaned out in Augustbecause there simply wasn't enough space to accommodate all of the central midfielders in the Arsenal side.
But ifWilshere was to sign a new contract, he would surely return to the Emirates at the end of his loan spell in Dorset and be included in the first team's plans.
News: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger running out of time... https://t.co/NMGz8Lz4ay via @Daily_Express #Football #AFC pic.twitter.com/ZcbUJsNirm
If the principle of hisloan deal has shown us anything, then it will need to bea case of one in, one out.
Whilst the likes of Elneny and Xhaka may be struggling to establish themselves, they do at least have years ahead of themandat the moment fitness -which are two thingsthat Cazorla does not.
The mere fact that Wenger has spoken about a new deal for Wilshere and not Cazorla, tells you the club's current thinking.
Wilshere is still seen as the future and if he can continue to prove his fitness with Bournemouth, then he is likely to win the race to be offered a new deal.
And should he agree terms, thenthatmay wellspell the end of Cazorla's time in North London.