Interview

Jack - I want to stay and I want to play

Jack Wilshere is waiting patiently for the “lucky break” that could propel him back into our Premier League side.

The England international has been a regular in the Carabao Cup and Europa League this season and played a full 90 minutes in Cologne on Thursday. But he wants to add to his minutes in the top flight as we prepare for three games in six days against Burnley, Huddersfield and Manchester United.

“You never know what can happen in football,” said Wilshere. “I remember when I first broke into the team, the only reason I was in the team was because Diaby and Fabregas were both injured and the boss put his faith in me. Sometimes you need that lucky break and then you can fight and keep your position.

“I feel good, and I felt that as the game went on [in Cologne] I got stronger, had a few opportunities, probably should have scored but I felt good with the ball at my feet. I feel fit enough and have said for a while that I am ready and waiting, I just need to be picked.

“We’ve got three games in six days. They are big games but we feel we can win, finishing with a big one at home [against United]. I will try everything, I will work hard in training and when I get the opportunity I will play as well as I can, but it is a difficult team to get into.”

It’s nine years since Wilshere made his debut for us in a Premier League game at Blackburn, and one of the pleasures of this season has been seeing him back on the pitch after his injury problems.

Wilshere’s current contract runs until next summer but he wants to remain at the Emirates.

“I want to stay here and play,” he said. “I’ve been at this club for 10 years, I don’t have to say how much this club means to me, how good they have been to me. But at the same time, the boss has got to be honest with me and I’m sure he will be.

“I’ve been injured for two years, basically. So I’m fit. I’m playing, I’m happy, I’m training every day. I’m happy to be back in the team. I’ve said there’s going to have to be a conversation because time is running out on my contract. When that time comes, I’ll sit down with the boss and go from there.”

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