Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he will not sell players just so they can make their nation's World Cup squads: 'The interests of the club comes first'

  • Arsene Wenger says he won't sell players in January unless it's good for the club
  • Many Arsenal players are looking for game-time to push for a World Cup spot
  • Jack Wilshere was told by Gareth Southgate that he needed more time on pitch
  • Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott also face missing out with their nations  

Arsene Wenger insists he will have no sympathy for any of his players keen on a January move to further their chances of making their nation's World Cup squad.

Jack Wilshere was told by England manager Gareth Southgate he needed more game-time in the Premier League if he wanted to make it to Russia in the summer.

France assistant manager Guy Stephane has also warned Olivier Giroud that he is not playing enough club football and risks missing out on making Didier Deschamps' squad. 

Arsene Wenger says he won't sell players just so they stand a chance of making the World Cup

Arsene Wenger says he won't sell players just so they stand a chance of making the World Cup

Jack Wilshere was told by England manager Gareth Southgate he needed more game-time

Jack Wilshere was told by England manager Gareth Southgate he needed more game-time

Theo Walcott is another player harbouring England ambitions and is reportedly interesting Everton's new manager Sam Allardyce, who is seeking a striker to help his ailing squad.


But Wenger said: 'I want to keep the squad. We qualified now for the Europa League and that means we do not want to reduce the squad. We have the League Cup, still we are in it.

'The FA Cup still to come, the Europa League to come, we have the Premier League where we have a big fight to be in the top four. You do not want to become weaker.

'I have to consider the interest of the player but dominant of that will be the interests of the club and if you can combine the two it is even better but first is what is important for the club.

'They have to make their decisions, I have to make mine. I cannot consider too much the interest of the national team.' 

France assistant Guy Stephane has also warned Olivier Giroud that he is not playing enough

France assistant Guy Stephane has also warned Olivier Giroud that he is not playing enough

Everton target Theo Walcott is another player harbouring England ambitions in Russia

Everton target Theo Walcott is another player harbouring England ambitions in Russia

Wilshere, who has six months remaining on his contract, Giroud and Walcott — each with 18 months left — are set to start on Thursday night against BATE Borisov in Arsenal's final Europa League group match. 

But while they have played regularly in cup competitions — and already topped the Europa League group — they have featured little in the Premier League which is concerning the national team managers. 

Wenger has played with virtually two sides this season, one in the league and the other in cups, but is adamant that they are not an A and B team.

'That's not how I see it,' he said. 

'Inside the camp the other players have a respect for them. But sometimes the outside environment makes them look like that.'