Arsenal stars wrap up for training as Arsene Wenger urges Jack Wilshere to concentrate on being fully fit rather than worrying about his future

  • Jack Wilshere's current focus has to be 'just about being fit', says Arsene Wenger
  • Wenger is looking short term and refused to be drawn on Wilshere's contract
  • Arsenal host Huddersfield on Wednesday night and trained on Tuesday

Jack Wilshere's current focus at Arsenal has to be 'just about being fit' rather than worrying about his long-term future, says Arsene Wenger

Wilshere and the rest of the Arsenal squad were busy in training on Tuesday, with the midfielder aiming for a starting spot against Huddersfield Town.

He is yet to start a league game this season and has played just 48 minutes of action across three substitute appearances.  


Jack Wilshere's current focus at Arsenal has to be 'just about being fit', says Arsene Wenger

Wenger is concentrating on the short term and refused to be drawn on Wilshere's contract

Wenger is concentrating on the short term and refused to be drawn on Wilshere's contract

Arsenal host Huddersfield in the Premier League on Wednesday night and trained on Tuesday

Arsenal host Huddersfield in the Premier League on Wednesday night and trained on Tuesday

The Gunners will also be hopeful Mesut Ozil overcomes illness to be involved on Wednesday. The Germany international was wrapped up warm as he trained in the cold at London Colney.

Both Ozil and Alexis Sanchez seem set to remain at Arsenal until the end of the season at least, with Wenger ruling out a January sale.

As a result both were training at full pelt ahead of a game against newly-promoted opposition that gave leaders Manchester City a scare on Sunday.

The chilly November temperatures did not seem to cool spirits at the training ground however, with the players having a laugh at the expense of left back Saed Kolasinac, who had tucked his tracksuit bottoms into his white gym socks. 

Olivier Giroud is chased down by Rob Holding during the training session at London Colney

Olivier Giroud is chased down by Rob Holding during the training session at London Colney

France team-mates Alex Lacazette (left) and Laurent Koscielny compete for the ball

France team-mates Alex Lacazette (left) and Laurent Koscielny compete for the ball

Hector Bellerin goes in for a sliding tackle to dispossess Francis Coquelin during a training drill

Hector Bellerin goes in for a sliding tackle to dispossess Francis Coquelin during a training drill

Wilshere however was not among them and looked the picture of concentration as he tries to regain a regular first team place. 

The injury-plagued England international is only under contract with the Gunners until the end of the season, with an extension currently uncertain.

Wenger however is concentrating on the short term - primarily the clash with Huddersfield - and encouraged Wilshere to do the same. 

Per Mertesacker (left) and Danny Welbeck train while Mesut Ozil looks on from the background

Per Mertesacker (left) and Danny Welbeck train while Mesut Ozil looks on from the background

The Gunners will also be hopeful Ozil overcomes illness to be involved on Wednesday

Alexis Sanchez and his team mates wrapped up warm against the November cold

Alexis Sanchez and his team mates wrapped up warm against the November cold

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Wenger said: 'For him, I’ve repeated it many times, it’s just about being fit. He’s considered like any other player in the squad. He’s at that level now that every opportunity he gets is a good chance for him to commit for a long-term future.

'At the moment, I just think about the interest of our next game. I don’t think long term. For him, I always considered his interest because for me he’s an Arsenal player and has been since he was a kid.

'He’s a football man and I will always decide what is best for him, that is my first priority no matter what kind of decision I make. I have to consider the interests of Jack Wilshere and Arsenal together.'