Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger set to cancel moves for Sami Khedira and Morgan Schneiderlin in favour of Jack Wilshere - reports

Arsene Wenger is ready to put his faith in England ace, despite smoking row, and cancel moves for Real Madrid and Southampton stars

Jack Wilshere celebrates after scoring against Norwich (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is increasingly likely to pass on moves for the likes of Sami Khedira and Morgan Schneiderlin in a cost-cutting exercise which will see Jack Wilshere be trusted with the anchoring midfield role.

According to the Daily Express, the FA Cup holders will also withdraw their interest in Bayer Leverkusen ace Lars Bender and continue with 22-year-old Wilshere - despite the England star's recent smoking scandal.

Wenger already has plenty of cover in the defensive areas with Mathieu Flamini returning from AC Milan last season while Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby are now fit again after spells on the sidelines.

It is now believed, after a frank exchange of words, that the Arsenal manager will hand Wilshere with the opportunity to prove himself in his new role during the pre-season friendly against New York Red Bulls this Saturday.

Having battled with a foot injury during the tail end of last season, alongside a disappointing World Cup campaign, the news will come as a massive boost to Wilshere after a challenging few months.

With the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez sitting in front of him, Wenger is comfortable with putting his faith in the England international, capped twenty times for his country, to finally make his mark in a Gunners shirt.