Arsene Wenger has warned Jack Wilshere not to get involved in a contract stand-off with Arsenal.

Wilshere, who has three years left on his current deal, has claimed he “wants to feel wanted” by Arsenal as he sweats on his FA Cup Final place at Wembley today.

Big-spending Manchester City are circling and are ready to make a determined effort to sign him this summer and Wenger could not hide his suspicion that Wilshere’s comments were designed to get a new contract.

When asked about Wilshere’s remarks, Wenger snapped back: “What do you mean by that? Is it a contract story? Is it? He knows he is wanted.

“I made Jack Wilshere start at 17 years of age. That means that you cannot show a bigger desire of wanting a player and we have always extended his contract and we have been very patient with all his injuries. At some stage I think he must feel wanted.”

In pictures - Arsenal train ahead of the FA Cup final:

Wenger then reminded Wilshere that Arsenal have stood by him through his injury nightmares as he urged him to show loyalty if City do make a huge bid this summer.

Arsenal have begun tentative talks with Wilshere but a new deal may not be agreed until after the summer window has shut.

“We always stood by him through every difficult moment,” said Wenger.

“Does that mean we want him to stay here for a longer period? Yes, as we would like to benefit from his talent now. He has not played since November, Jack. That is five or six months.”

Wil he or won't he? It's unclear whether or not Jack Wilshere will stick with the Gunners (
Image:
Stuart MacFarlane)

Wenger also insisted that whoever plays in the cup final, Arsenal are determined to keep Wilshere and Theo Walcott as the Gunners boss said the England winger’s long term future is through the middle.

“I want Walcott to play through the middle and I want both of them to stay here,” said Wenger.

“Walcott is similar because he has been out for a year. I want them to stay."

Stuck in the middle with Theo: Wenger says Walcott's future is as a central striker (
Image:
Steve Bardens)

He added: “Walcott can play on the flank, but if you ask me where do I see him in the future, it is through the middle. If you ask him, he will tell you as well through the middle. Why? Because he has electric pace, and he has top top quality in the timing of his runs.

“If you have that quality, if you analyse that, it is the quality of his receptions, the space where he gets the ball basically, that is above average compared to many players.

“He can play on the flank he can play through the middle. Cristiano Ronaldo is still officially playing on the wing. But Ronaldo always scored a lot of goals on the flanks because at Man United he played on the right, and scored 30 goals.

“He is top in the air, very good header of the ball. That is certainly not the strength of Walcott, but the quality of his runs and his finishing is top class as well.”

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