If there were any doubts over midfielder Jack Wilshere’s future at Arsenal in light of his season-long loan movie to Bournemouth, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has come out with a statement that is sure to put all those doubts to rest – “Certainly, one day, he will be in my seat”, alluding that Wilshere might actually be appointed manager of the club one day.
The statement came after Wenger was asked whether he saw Wilshere as a future Arsenal captain, in the pre-match press conference ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League match against Southampton on Saturday. Replying “Yes,” to the captaincy question, Wenger went one step further and said, “Certainly, one day, he will be in my seat. He has a real football brain and understands football. It’s in his genes.”
On being asked to further clarify his comment about Wilshere sitting in his seat, Wenger said, “I see him in the future at this club, of course. He will spend his life in football, he is a football man. He has an eye on everybody – it’s in him. You have that or you haven’t got it, but he is a real football man.”
Also read: Arsenal transfer rumours: Jack Wilshere joined Bournemouth after advice from David Beckham
After having sanctioned Wilshere’s loan to Bournemouth this season in order to get more playing time, Wenger faced natural questions about whether he saw Wilshere making a breakthrough into the Arsenal starting XI at all even after a year.
The French manager stated that Wilshere does have a future as a player at the club , “We have all been his age wanting to play football, but we didn’t have Jack’s talent. You imagine what he must feel like when he cannot play with everything he can do. It is very frustrating. What is at stake for him is just playing. He is not yet completely at his physical level. If you look at the number of games he has played recently, you cannot be at the competitive level he wants to be.
“I try always to combine the interests of the club and the interests of the player. In this case, that’s what I try to do. After, sometimes, it doesn’t always come out as you want it to. But he is a real Arsenal man, as well. I hope that he plays 40 games and comes back here and plays for us.”
Exclusion from England squad played a part in Wilshere’s Bournemouth move
Wenger also said that he is convinced new England manager Sam Allardyce’s decision to omit Jack Wilshere from his first England squad is one of the biggest motivating factors behind his move to the Cherries in order to get more playing time and proving himself once again. “I believe that Sam Allardyce says that Jack doesn’t play at the moment and I leave him out. I am convinced that played a part.”
Also read: Jack Wilshere to Bournemouth - A smart footballing move for both sides
Finally, Wenger also spoke about potentially renewing the midfielder’s contract with Arsenal, which has two more years to run. “I want him to extend, yes. Will it happen soon? I don’t know. I think around December.”
