Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Jack Wilshere could be their Steven Gerrard if he signs a new contract 

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Arsene Wenger has urged Jack Wilshere to prove he can be Arsenal’s Steven Gerrard by signing a new contract.

Wilshere, who came through the Arsenal academy, is currently on loan at Bournemouth, the Gunners’ opponents at the weekend.

Due to the terms of his loan agreement, Wilshere cannot play against his parent club, but that didn’t stop Wenger from having his say on the midfielder’s long-term future at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has urged Jack Wilshere to prove he can be their Steven Gerrard

Wilshere, who came through the Arsenal academy, is currently on loan at Bournemouth

Wenger wants Wilshere to emulate the achievements of ex-England team mate Gerrard (left)

Wilshere will enter the final year of his contract at the end of the season, leaving Arsenal facing the prospect of losing him on a free transfer in 2018.

Wenger wants Wilshere to sign fresh terms, the Arsenal manager hinting talks are planned for the New Year.

However, whether Wilshere is willing to sign a new deal is uncertain.

Having taken the decision to ask for a loan move in the summer due to what would likely be a lack of regular football, the same obstacles are likely to face Wilshere next season.

But Wenger believes Wilshere remains central to Arsenal’s long-term ambitions.

Wilshere will enter the final year of his contract with Arsenal at the end of the season

‘He can show his loyalty, like Steven Gerrard did,’ said Wenger. ‘We want to give Jack a new contract because we believe his will play for Arsenal again, not to protect our value.

‘I let him go this season because we bought Granit Xhaka, we have Mohamed Elneny, Aaron Ramsey, and I thought “he doesn’t play regularly” and he wasn’t fit enough to be in the position to start games, so I let him go.

‘If Jack comes back to his right level he will play for us.’

Wenger acknowledges he’s taken a risk by allowing Wilshere to leave on loan without penning a new contract.

Wilshere could potentially sign a deal with an overseas clubs just over 12 months from now.

But Wenger says he ignored his better financial judgement for Wilshere’s own benefit.

‘It was a human case, more than a calculated financial case with Jack,’ said Wenger. 

‘He’s been educated here since he was eight or nine years old, he has gone for years through difficult periods where he didn’t play.

‘I felt honestly a guy who has been educated here has another season where he doesn’t play because I don’t give him the chance because I have some players who are fitter than him, it would be unfair. It was not a mathematical decision.’

Wilshere has been a central figure for Bournemouth after leaving Arsenal for first team action