Arsenal to initiate contract negotiations with Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsenal have finally made a move pertaining to contract negotiations for Jack Wilshere, with the club set to open discussions with the 25-year-old later this week. The midfielder has just over a year left on his current contract, having played his first full season without any major setbacks after the 2010/11 season. He is currently on loan at Bournemouth.

The Mirror states that Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are next in line for an extension, with both players also going out of contract in 2018. Chamberlain has made 37 appearances this season in all competitions, scoring six goals and assisting seven in the process, Gibbs has also made 17 appearances and has been a reliable back-up for Nacho Monreal, who has established himself as the first choice left-back under Arsene Wenger.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has already stated his desire to sign Wilshere on a permanent deal next summer and Wenger has to decide if the England international has a long term future at the club. Wilshere has recently fallen out of favour at the Cherries following a series of poor results but may make the starting line-up against Liverpool following an injury to Andrew Surman.

Meanwhile, there is still no clarity on the long-term futures of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, with the duo yet to commit to a new deal. The star duo's current deal at the Emirates runs down in 2018. The manager has recently questioned the anxiety over Sanchez's contract situation, as he expects the player to be committed for the period of time he is at the club.

The Gunners are currently struggling in the league, with only one win and four defeats from their last six games. They take on West Ham United on Wednesday, 5 April, on the back of a 2-2 draw with Manchester City, where they came back from conceding a goal twice.