Wenger: Wilshere looks like a keeper
ARSENE WENGER thinks Jack Wilshere’s spell on the other side of the fence with Bournemouth will help nudge him towards committing his long-term future to Arsenal.
Talks are unlikely to start until after the window closes, although Wilshere has indicated he is keen to extend his stay beyond the summer with a club he has served his whole senior career– save loan spells at Bolton and, last season, at Bournemouth.
“The fact he has been away and come back, he realises that life here is not so bad maybe. I see him here because he is an Arsenal man,” said Wenger. “Who would question his love and commitment for the club? Nobody.
“We have to find an agreement that makes him happy and the wish that in the future he remains fit.”
Today’s opponents Crystal Palace made a bid for Wilshere 12 months ago and now manager Roy Hodgson – who took him to the 2014 World Cup – claims the midfielder is BRIGHTON host Chelsea today and the visitors could be sitting ducks to be picked off.
The Seagulls are 11-2 to bag the points and the Blues will be without Pedro and Alvaro Morata after their red cards in the Carabao Cup shoot-out win over Norwich. The last four Chelsea matches have been back to his best. “He has improved enormously and we couldn’t afford him now,” said Hodgson.
“He has reached a level of ability as high as he demonstrated in the 2014 World Cup.
“If he can get in the right number of games before this year’s competition, I believe Gareth Southgate would be very interested in taking him to Russia.
“He is an outstanding talent and could become a viable contender for his country again, so long as he stays fit.”
Hodgson is expecting an Arsenal backlash this afternoon following the Gunners’ defeat at Bournemouth on Sunday.
“They will be hungry, stronger and eager to show how good they can be at home,” he said. “We will be in enormous trouble if we stop believing we are in anything but a relegation battle.”
TIME TO STING THE BLUES
draws (in 90 minutes) and the stalemate looks decent value at 11-4. Manchester City host Newcastle and, although I think they will win, I’m not predicting a huge margin of victory. City to win by exactly two is 16-5.
A cheeky 3pm treble of Stoke, West Ham and Everton pays just under 8-1.
BY JOE CRILLY
Matthew