Arsene Wenger confirms Jack Wilshere's contract talks will take place in January after impressive return to form
Wilshere has firmly established himself in the Gunners' first team in recent weeks
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsene Wenger confirmed that long-awaited contract talks with Jack Wilshere will take place in early January following the England midfielder’s recently improved form.
While Wenger initially said the talks would take place in December, they have now been scheduled for early January, as Arsenal and Wilshere try to reach an agreement over a new contract. His current deal has only six months left and Wenger wants Wilshere to agree to a differently structured deal for next season and beyond.
“The situation is that we need to sit down with him,” Wenger explained after Wilshere’s impressive performance in the 3-2 win at Selhurst Park on Thursday night. “In the beginning of January, it’s planned, there is no delay. I said that we would sort out his situation at the end of December, and so I told him that we want to meet and sit down with him to talk about the future. That’s what I did.”
Wenger said that Arsenal’s busy schedule, with a trip to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday and a game against Chelsea next week, means it is harder to find time for other priorities. “Now we play today, we play on Sunday, we play on Wednesday. At the moment the focus has to be on the games.”
Wilshere confirmed after tonight’s match that he expected to find an agreement with the club soon. “I spoke to boss and says he will speak to me,” Wilshere said. “I’m sure it will get done.”
Wenger said that Wilshere’s performances proved he is still committed even towards the end of this contract. “They are questioned, always, when people don’t have long contracts,” he said. “The best way to show they are committed is to give that kind of performance. Jack is coming back in competitive shape. He gives something to the team at the moment, and gave a good final ball for the third goal.”
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