Wenger says no breakthrough over stalled new contract for Wilshere
ARSENAL V AC MILAN
Jack Wilshere’s Arsenal future remains in doubt after manager Arsene Wenger insisted “nothing has changed” in the negotiations over a new deal for the midfielder.
The England international is out of contract at the end of the season and can walk away for nothing if no fresh terms are agreed.
Wilshere has re-established himself in the Arsenal first team this season after years of injury torment and a campaign spent out on loan at Bournemouth.
But, despite becoming an integral part of Wenger’s side in recent months, the 26-yearold has yet to agree a new contract, with reports suggesting the offer on the table is for a lower basic salary than his current deal. Due to his history of injuries, it is claimed any new deal will be heavily incentivised based on appearances and, after Wenger said contract talks would open last December, Wilshere said after the 2-0 Europa League win at AC Milan that the situation was at an impasse.
Asked if he had anything to say on his contract wrangle after Wenger claimed the ball was in the player’s court, Wilshere replied: “Not really, no. All I can tell you is that we are no closer to sorting anything out.”
Wenger offered a similar take on the issue when speaking ahead of tonight’s last-16 second-leg meeting with Milan.
“On my side, nothing has changed,” he said. “I don’t know, but Jack will be free at the end of the season. We make a proposal to him, I want him to stay and my desire is to see him linked to the club for the future. I hope he will do it.”
While Wilshere’s Arsenal future is still up in the air, he is likely to be given a fresh chance to bolster his World Cup prospects. Gareth Southgate announces his England squad today ahead of a friendly double-header against Holland and Italy.
Asked if he thought Wilshere had been enough to be included, Wenger replied: “Yes and I wish he is in the England squad.
“The vibes I get are positive. I believe he has a good chance to be in there.” LAST NIGHT Uefa Champions League round of 16, 2nd leg: Barcelona 3 Chelsea 0 (agg 4-1), Besiktas 1 Bayern Munich 3 (agg 1-8). Sky Bet League One: Bradford 0 Wigan 1. Ladbrokes League 1: Arbroath 1 Ayr 1. Press & Journal Highland League: Clachnacuddin 1 Fraserburgh 2, Cove Rangers 1 Brora 0, Forres Mechanics 2 Wick Academy 1, Fort William 0 Nairn County 2. Ferrari Packaging Lowland League: Dalbeattie Star 1 Whitehill Welfare 0. Breedon Aggregates Highland League Cup Quarter-finals: Formartine United 8 Strathspey Thistle 0. TONIGHT (7:45pm unless stated) Uefa Europa League Round of 16, 2nd leg: Arsenal v AC Milan (8:05), Athletic Bilbao v Marseille (6:00), Dynamo Kiev v Lazio (6:00), Lokomotiv Moscow v Atletico Madrid (4:00), Lyon v CSKA Moscow (8:05), Plzen v Sporting (6:00), Red Bull Salzburg v Borussia Dortmund (8:05), Zenit St Petersburg v RB Leipzig (6:00).