Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger sends out warning to Manchester City over Jack Wilshere interest as midfielder returns from injury

Midweek reports linked Wilshere with a summer move to Manchester City but Wenger stresses Arsenal no longer need to sell their best players

(Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger has made clear that Arsenal have no intention of selling another big name player to Manchester City after rumours linked them with a move for midfielder Jack Wilshere.

The England international is on the verge of a comeback from his latest ankle injury, and has confirmed that he should return for next weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Reading at Wembley.

However, with questions arising over both his suitability to the Gunners’ current line-up and City’s current crop of players, a number of reports have linked the reigning Premier League champions with a move for the 23-year-old.

But Wenger had stern words for City, should they be listening, and claimed that the club’s improved financial position means they no longer needs to let go of their very best players, as was seen in the past when Cesc Fabregas left the club and Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Kolo Toure all departed to head to the Etihad Stadium.

"We are not in a position any more where we have to sell our best players," Wenger said at his press conference ahead of the weekend match against Burnley.

"We cannot make a case of any headline in any newspaper in a press conference from things that are not true."

Wenger hinted that Wilshere could return this weekend, albeit he is unlikely to start, but also stressed that players coming back from injury must contend with being eased back into regular action.

Theo Walcott has been used sparingly since returning from a year on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, while Abou Diaby has been confirmed as fit to return following his own stretch out injured that dates back to last April – the most recent of a long line of injuries for the unfortunate French midfielder.

"Everybody can have a big impact until the end of the season, Jack included,” Wenger added.

"Every player who doesn't play is very frustrated when he cannot perform - Diaby has been out for a year, Walcott has been out for a year.

"Wilshere has played many games this year, he was out, but not for as long as Walcott or Diaby."

Wenger has revealed the latest Arsenal injury news (Getty Images)

With Wilshere and Diaby having played in an under-21s match along with Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy, Wenger is seeing his selection options open up at a time when the Gunners are making a late charge up the table.

Last weekend’s 4-1 victory over Liverpool saw them move up to second place in the Premier League table on merit, and sees them as the likeliest chargers to stop Chelsea if any team are going to do so.

"We are all in a fantastic position, but our job is competing," said Wenger.

"You cannot say that you have to accept to compete, if you cannot compete then you have nothing to do in this job."

The Arsenal boss added: "Everybody is rated exactly the same and you respect everybody and want everybody to just contribute to the team."