Jack Wilshere will earn new Arsenal contract 'if he can play from now until December at the top level' suggests boss Arsene Wenger

  • Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has impressed since returning from injury
  • Wilshere starred in Arsenal's 4-2 victory over BATE Borisov in Europa League
  • Arsene Wenger believes Wilshere can play at the 'top level' if he stays fit

Arsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere can still have a big future for both Arsenal and England if he can stay fit playing at the top level between now and December. 

Since suffering a fractured leg playing on loan for Bournemouth last season in April, Wilshere has impressed on his return from injury for Arsenal, starring most recently in the club's 4-2 victory over BATE Borisov in the Europa League.

Wilshere's contract at Arsenal runs out at the end of the season and Arsenal boss Wenger claims this season is 'vital' for the midfielder with both his club and country future at stake. 

Jack Wilshere hopes to stay injury free as he looks to resurrect his Arsenal and England career

Jack Wilshere hopes to stay injury free as he looks to resurrect his Arsenal and England career

Wenger told beIN Sports: 'He needs to keep his health and be capable of competing. If he can play from now until December at the top level, he will be back. If he has other set backs then it will be more difficult.


'It's a vital season because he's nearing the end of his contract, it's a World Cup year and he has been an Arsenal player since he was a kid, so all that's at stake for him and for us as well because you'd love a player like him of that quality to come back.

The midfielder, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, has been lined up as a surprise call-up to Gareth Southgate's squad for the World Cup in Russia next summer after impressing for Arsenal in previous weeks. 

And Wilshere himself, who will be hoping for a run of games in Arsenal's first team following the international break, claims he is starting to see familiar signs that indicate that he is getting back to his best level. 

Arsene Wenger believes Wilshere 'will be back' if he stays fit from now until December

Arsene Wenger believes Wilshere 'will be back' if he stays fit from now until December

The 25-year-old told Arsenal's website: 'I always hear the boss say it is my first five-metre burst, when I receive the ball and to get away from defenders and I feel that's getting better and better each day,' he said. 

'I feel like the way to improve that is in games when you're playing against opposition that want to win and want to win the ball back and you have to be able to keep the ball. 

'That's coming back and my fitness levels, if I'm honest, are probably the best they've ever been.'

Wilshere will be hoping for some game time in the Premier League when Arsenal take on Watford at Vicarage Road on October 14.