Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger insists Jack Wilshere is 'wanted' and will not be sold

Manager says Gunners 'would like to benefit from his talent now'

Arsenal have no intention of selling Jack Wilshere, according to Arsene Wenger (Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger has said that Arsenal want to keep Jack Wilshere because the club want to "benefit from his talent" after the midfielder's injury woes.

Wilshere has been linked with a move to Manchester City after another injury-plagued season for the Gunners, in which the 23-year-old managed just 14 Premier League apperances.

Amid the uncertainty about his future Wilshere told the Mail on Sunday: "It would hurt if they sold me. I want the club to want me. So if they didn't want me, it would hurt."

However, Wenger has insisted that his faith in the England midfielder is unqestionable. "I made Jack Wilshere start at 17 years of age," the Arsenal manager said.

"That means that you cannot show a bigger desire of wanting a player. 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.

"Does that mean we want him to stay here for a longer period? Yes, as we would like to benefit from his talent now.”

Wilshere's Arsenal career has been plagued by injuries (AFP) (AFP/Getty Images)

Wilshere's lack of fitness has ensured that he has not played any part in Arsenal's run to the FA Cup final against Aston Villa, but he insisted that he is ready to play a key role in a match that "will define" the Gunners' season.

"I really want to play," he said. "It's probably the biggest game of the season. I've been injured for a lot of the season so it's been frustrating and I've worked really hard to come back.

"I feel really good. Of course it's down to the manager but hopefully I will play."