Jack Wilshere says he wants to stay at Arsenal and help the Gunners achieve their goals, while also putting himself in a position to make an England recall for next summer’s World Cup.

Wilshere is in the final year of his Arsenal contract, so he could leave the club for nothing this summer. However, the 25-year-old’s first league start of the season has seemingly made up his mind to stay at the Emirates, with an England recall in mind.

“I think I have proved to myself that I can play in the Premier League, I trust my body again and I am confident going into games that I can affect them,” Wilshere told Sky Sports News.

“That is all I can do, I can have a positive effect on this team and then we will see if the England manager picks me.”

The midfielder’s previously said that Arsenal hadn’t even talked to him yet about a new contract, but it seems he’s happy to carry on under Arsene Wenger nevertheless.

Many supporters wanted the England international in the team even before Aaron Ramsey’s injury, but the Welshman’s hamstring trouble has just emphasised that the Gunners can’t afford to let Jack go.

Particularly with Granit Xhaka’s variable form, Wilshere is the most popular he’s been for a while. But mostly, it’s just nice to hear a player say they actually want to be around.

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil also haven’t agreed new deals, so the Gunners don’t need a third player causing trouble.

Realistically, Arsenal should aim to focus on players who still require convincing to stay. It would be a big boost to sign the academy graduate up in the next couple of weeks, and an England recall might not be too far away.