Arsene Wenger 'confident' Jack Wilshere will sign new deal at Arsenal

England midfielder Wilshere's current deal runs out in the summer and, despite an offer being on the table, the 26-year-old is yet to agree terms

Jack Wilshere is yet to commit his future to the club (Getty)

Arsene Wenger says he is "confident" Jack Wilshere will sign a new contract at the club.

England midfielder Wilshere's current deal runs out in the summer and, despite an offer being on the table, the 26-year-old is yet to agree terms.

Speaking at his weekly pre-match press conference the Frenchman continued to be vague on the subject but reiterated his desire to keep Wilshere at the club.

"I cannot give you any news because I don't really know what is in his mind," the Frenchman said when asked for an update on Wilshere's contract wrangle. "He has an offer that is on a long-term contract basically, and I hope that at some stage he will sign it.

Wilshere is yet to commit his future to the club (Getty)

"I think he will make his decision before the end of the season. he will not want to go to the World Cup and not have settled his situation because that would not be reasonable as well I think.

"He has the freedom to make that decision, he knows I want him to stay."

Mesut Ozil was in a similar position to Wilshere earlier in the year but signed a vastly-improved deal to end speculation over his own future.

However, with Wilshere's negotiations taking longer, Wenger insists players cannot simply be paid what they ask for.

"If you think like that, there's no limitations anywhere," he added. "As a club. you want the players to stay and to be paid well, and I believe that everybody would agree that we pay our players very well."

"He has not signed, he has an offer and we want him to stay. The offer is a long-term contract and I hope at some stage he will sign it. I am always confident.

"As a club you want the players to stay and be paid well and I think everyone would agree we pay our players very well."


 Wilshere's future remains in doubt 
 (AFP/Getty Images)

Wenger also played down speculation over his future at the Emirates amid reports linking Patrick Vieira with the manager's job.

Former Gunners midfielder Vieira is currently in charge at New York City in Major League Soccer.

Wenger added: "My personal situation is not so much my worry at the moment. My worry is to transform the season into a success."

When asked if he will make his own mind up on his future, Wenger added: "That doesn't really matter."