Jack Wilshere hints at Arsenal exit after admitting it is 'difficult when you play every three weeks'
KEY POINTS
- Wilshere has played just 25 minutes in the Premier League this season.
- Seven of the midfielder's nine appearances have been in cup competitions.
Jack Wilshere has hinted that he could look for a move away from Arsenal in order to play regular first-team football after being limited to just 25 minutes in the Premier League thus far this campaign.
The Gunners midfielder has returned to full fitness after yet another lengthy injury layoff and has been involved with the first-team since the start of the season.
Wilshere, however, has been unable to break into the regular starting XI with Arsene Wenger opting to use him just in the cup competitions. Wilshere has made nine appearances in all competitions of which seven have been in the Europa League and the EFL Cup.
Initially the French coach suggested that he was being sparingly used to avoid a setback, but recently admitted that he is fully fit and it is just a matter of being selected ahead of another player. Mesut Ozil is currently ahead of Wilshere in the pecking order, and it will be sometime before he displaces the in-form German.
The 25-year-old is keen to play regularly for Arsenal and despite being on the final-year of his contract Wilshere has indicated that he would like to extend his stay at the club. Wenger revealed that new contract talks will begin in December, but that will entail a promise of regular football, which is not on the table at the moment.
The Englishman's main concern will be his chances of making Gareth Southgate's team for the World Cup. He was overlooked for England's recent friendly and the Three Lions boss made it clear that Wilshere has to play regularly in the Premier League for him to be considered.
"Of course I want to be playing. It's difficult when you play every three weeks," Wilshere said, as quoted by the Mirror.
"It's the same as every player. I'm still determined to win my place back, I'm working hard and we'll see what the future holds - if I can get in or I can't," he added.
Wilshere has been linked with a move to La Liga side Real Betis in recent weeks, but Arsenal will be keen to tie down the midfielder to a new deal. However the promise of regular football is likely to be a key talking point when negotiations begin next month.
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