Jack Wilshere’s loan at Bournemouth was about getting game time, staying fit and deciding what he does with his playing future.

The Arsenal midfielder is out of contract next summer and there is no guarantee that he will stay at Arsenal.

Impressing on loan with the Cherries this season, he has been on the bench over the last few weeks as the club try to manage his ankles after being hit hard by Manchester City’s David Silva.

Speaking this weekend, manager Eddie Howe, said, “We couldn’t think more of the player, so if there was a chance for us to maintain our relationship beyond this season we would certainly look at that.

“But the loan was very much put in place for Jack to try to play football, stay fit, express himself on a really good platform, then make his own decision on where he goes next.

“I haven’t spoken to him about his future yet. We are immersed in the season and trying to fight for every point we can get.

“Any talk about the future is for the summer.”

With no disrespect to Bournemouth, should Wilshere leave Arsenal in the summer, he would likely go to a club much higher up the food chain.

Ideally, he will return to Arsenal and take up the spot vacated by Santi Cazorla in the heart of our midfield. Of course, Santi will still be with us next season after the club activated his one-year option, but that’s no guarantee he’ll be fit to play.

Wilshere, for his part, said that he has not made a decision about his future and won’t do anything until the end of the season.