Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will open contract talks with Jack Wilshere in December

Manager expects out on loan midfielder to captain club one day

Arsene Wenger was full of praise for Jack Wilshere (Getty)

Arsene Wenger expects Jack Wilshere to open talks about a new Arsenal contract in December despite the midfielder making a season-long loan move to Bournemouth.

Arsenal manager Wenger – who also suggested Wilshere will remain at the Emirates Stadium after his playing career and even raised the possibility of the 24-year-old one day becoming manager of the club – admitted the player moved because his first-team opportunities in north London would be limited as he continues his efforts to recover full fitness following an extended run of serious injuries.

But the manager maintains he expects Wilshere to return to the club and, provided he can overcome his fitness problems, extend his current contract that expires at the end of next season. “I want him to extend, yes,” said Wenger. “I don’t know [when talks will begin], I think around December.”

He added: “We had a chat together and he himself was concerned that he would not get enough competition early enough, because he feels ready to play. I couldn’t guarantee that, so that’s why we took the decision. I think it looks logical to give him time to really come back to a competitive level. At some stage you need competition and I couldn’t guarantee him that.”

Should things go to plan, Wenger anticipates Wilshere re-establishing himself at the club for the rest of his playing career and beyond. Acknowledging he saw the midfielder as a potential future Arsenal captain, Wenger also looked further ahead. “Certainly one day he will be in my seat,” he said.

Wenger’s light-hearted response may have been fuelled by an earlier reference to suggestions Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is being lined up as his successor, but he added: “He has a real football brain and understands football. You know really, it’s in his genes. I see him in the future at this club of course. He will spend his life in football, he is a football man. He has an eye on everybody, it’s in him. You have that or you haven’t got it, but he is a real football man.”

Wilshere must first focus on returning to regular action and Wenger believes Howe’s decision to employ the player in an advanced role will benefit the midfielder whose desire to move was increased by his omission from Sam Allardyce’s first England squad.

“I’m convinced he was hurt by being left out,” said Wenger. “I believe as well as Sam Allardyce says he doesn’t play at the moment and I leave him out and I am convinced that played a part [in him wanting a move].”

He added: “Personally I prefer him further forward. He has a great footballing brain, and understands everything that is going on on the football pitch. He is most dangerous when you give him the ball in the final third. For me, it was always a shame when he played too deep and too close to the goal because I like him where he can create.”