Paper Round: Wilshere wants out of Arsenal and Hart opts for Italian 'minnows' Torino

Jack Wilshere has demanded to leave Arsenal after failing to start a game this season and being dropped from the England squad, reports The Sun. Arsenal are not intending to allow the player to leave permanently, but would be open to a loan move for a 24-year-old who is now sixth choice in central midfield.

Paper Round's view: Jack Wilshere needs a loan move, but whether he should be demanding one is a different matter entirely. The midfielder would benefit hugely from a full season of regular first-team footballer to see if he has what it takes to get close to achieving his potential, but even his reported attitude at seeking a move away hints at a personality that is likely to continue to hold his career back (along with those constant injury problems).

Wilshere could have been one of the most talented players of his generation, but he has never made that a reality and has lost focus on what sort of player he should be looking to become. It's time for Wilshere to stop the talk of tough tackling and midfielder enforcer nonsense. That should not be his style. He'd be better off getting the ball down, dictating possession with his passing, and maybe then he'd move a step closer to becoming a valid player at the top level.

However, if Wilshere maintain his career's status quo then he'll become obsolete before long.

"How the mighty have fallen" shouts the Mirror's back page in relation to Joe Hart's impending move to "minnows" Torino. The goalkeeper has been given permission to leave England training to fly to Italy after snubbing a switch to Sunderland, with Torino delighted at the prospect of pulling off such a major transfer coup.

Paper Round's view: This is a great and all-too rare example of an English footballer turning down a Premier League move to test himself overseas. So what do the British press do? Lambast him for it.

Hats off to Joe Hart for a brave and fascinating decision. And thumbs down to the Mirror for describing seven-time Italian champions Torino as "minnows" when six-time English champions Sunderland were talked about as a viable option for Hart.

In some respects it's disappointing that Hart hasn't opted to stay and learn what Pep Guardiola wants from a goalkeeper, as it could have made him a more rounded player. But he wanted to play and, given that requirement, a move outside of the Premier League is as exciting as it is unusual.

Wayne Rooney was the "obvious choice" for England captain, according to new England boss Sam Allardyce, reports the Guardian. The Manchester United man will continue in his role as England skipper, despite an underwhelming 18 months for club and country, with Allardyce also adding that Rooney will play as the most advanced midfielder (or second striker), using that decision as justification for the omission of Ross Barkley.

"Ross is a difficult one but the change of position for Wayne makes it difficult for Ross," Allardyce said. "Dele Alli has started well, too, so that makes it a difficult choice. I watched Harry Kane play in the No. 10 role for Tottenham: What does that do for Dele Alli?”

Paper Round's view: Out with the old, in with the... old? Sam Allardyce was apparently the man to come into the England job and shake things up, bring some fresh ideas and enthusiasm. But so far those ideas seem to be keeping Rooney as captain and drafting in Paddy McGuiness and Bradley Walsh to run a quiz night (yes, really). It's cutting-edge stuff at St George's Park!

Rooney in the England squad is fine. Rooney as a second striker is also fine, given that it's his best position and where he seems likely to play for the remainder of his Manchester United career. But Rooney as captain? Allardyce has created a rod for his own back in keeping Rooney as his skipper. Now he either has to leave out his captain or leave out two of the brightest stars of the English game in Dele Alli and Ross Barkley. It's a tough decision at the best of times, but by handing Rooney the armband he's added a whole other layer to his decision.

And as for that Kane playing as a No. 10 "problem": it's a little concerning that a man tasked with knowing his squad of players didn't spot that for a lot of Dele Alli's breakthrough season he was rotating with Christian Eriksen between a central and left-sided nominal position. And given that fact, Alli would presumably be absolutely fine with Kane dropping deeper into that usual Eriksen role.