Jack Wilshere wants Cesc Fabregas to be a 'real man' and stay at Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere admits he would be devastated if Cesc Fabregas were to leave the Gunners and hopes the Spain international will be a "real man" and show the same loyalty to the club he did last year.

Wilshere has also stressed the importance of keeping key players like Fabregas and Samir Nasri as Arsenal seek to win some silverware next season.

Both Fabregas and contract rebel Nasri have been heavily linked with moves away from Arsenal this summer, with Fabregas again being courted by his former club Barcelona, who failed in their bid to take the 24-year-old back to the Nou Camp last summer.

Wilshere, 19, praised Fabregas for his loyalty on that occasion and is keeping his fingers crossed the midfielder - and other key players - opt to stay with the Gunners this summer.

"Loyalty is a big part of football and it shows if you are a real man or not," Wilshere said.

"If you are loyal, that means you're a real man.

"We have got loyalty at Arsenal - players have shown that in the past. Cesc showed that last year and hopefully a few more players can show it this year. Then we will see if we can get a trophy or not."

He added: "We have to keep our best players if we want to win things. Any team wants to keep their best players. Look at Tottenham and what's happening with Luka Modric.

"Robin (van Persie) said he would be devastated if we lose Cesc and it's the same for me. He has been a role model for me and he is the player I want to aspire to.

"It would be a shame if we lose him but hopefully we can keep hold of him."

Wilshere used his Twitter account to clarify what he said about Fabregas, denying any suggestion he told his team-mate to 'man up'.

"Have not read any papers but just so we get it right I actually said 'Cesc showed he is a real man by staying and being loyal last season, and hopefully we can have a few more players like that'," he wrote.

"I also said he has been a great role model for me! So why would I tell him to 'man up'!? Get it correct please."