Arsene Wenger has allayed fears that Jack Wilshere could leave Arsenal by stating he expects him to be at the club next season.
The 25-year-old midfielder has just 12 months remaining on his contract, and was yesterday linked with a £9million move to Italian side Sampdoria by the Daily Mail.
Meanwhile fellow Premier League side West Ham were made favourites to secure his signing by Sky Bet but Wenger’s latest comments appear to have poured cold water on him departing the Emirates Stadium during the transfer window.
He told the Mirror ahead of their match with Western Sydney Warriors on Saturday: “I think Jack will be with Arsenal next season.
“He has to work hard to come back and fight for a place in the team.
“Once he is ready, when he comes back, he will not be far from practising with the team.”
Wilshere is currently sidelined with a broken leg and is aiming to recover in time for the club’s home friendly matches in the Emirates cup at the end of the month.
He was left behind as the rest of the squad travelled halfway across the world for a pre-season tour in Australia and China.
Wilshere picked up the injury during a clash against North London rivals Tottenham while on loan at fellow top flight side Bournemouth, where he spent the majority of the 2016/17 campaign.
He made 27 appearances across all competitions for the Cherries but the leg break saw him miss the final games of the season, in what proved to be another set back during an injury plagued career.
The 34-time-capped England international has been sidelined by a series of serious and minor injuries which have curtailed his development and prevented him from reaching the potential expected when he broke onto the scene as a 16-year-old back in 2008.