Press conference

‘I think Jack will decide before the World Cup’

Jack Wilshere’s decision to stay or go this summer is still pending, but Arsene Wenger believes he will make his choice before the World Cup.

Here’s the latest update from the boss:

 

on Jack’s contract…


I cannot give you any news because I don’t really know what is in his mind. I can just update you by saying that until now he has not signed. He has an offer and we want him to stay. He has an offer that is on a long-term contract basically, and I hope that at some stage he will sign it.

on whether it’s hope he’ll sign rather than confidence…

You can reproach me maybe, but I’m always confident. I am confident, really.

on whether it’s better to pay Jack what he wants rather than buy a replacement…

If you think like that, there’s no limitations anywhere. 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.

on setting a deadline for Jack's decision…

No, no. He has the freedom to make that decision, he knows I want him to stay and overall I hope that at some stage... he as well is focused on winning the next game, and certainly he will make his decision a bit later.

on whether it could go into the summer...

I don't think so, 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.