Arsene Wenger: Jack Wilshere has a future at Arsenal despite loan move
Arsene Wenger insists "world class" Jack Wilshere's Arsenal future is not under threat despite sanctioning the England international's loan move to Bournemouth.
Wilshere, 24, has struggled with injuries in the past three years and last played 90 minutes for Arsenal almost two years ago - a 2-1 League Cup defeat to Southampton on September 23, 2014.
He came off the bench twice for the Gunners this season and was axed from Sam Allardyce's first England squad due to lack of game time, with the likes of Granit Xhaka, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil all above him in the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.
Those circumstances led to a meeting with Wenger where it was decided Wilshere would be better off moving away on loan, with Bournemouth the club to seal a deal until the end of the season.
Despite letting Wilshere leave on a temporary basis to improve his fitness and play more minutes, Wenger will not be looking to move him on when he returns and believes he is a top-quality player.
Asked if Wilshere's Arsenal career was in the balance, Wenger replied: "No, not at all, no. He wanted games and I can understand his desire.
"I felt it was a logical decision. Let's not forget that last year he didn't play. He's in a position where you need games. You can't not compete for two seasons and then want to be at the top level.
"It's important for him that he gets the number of games this season.
"I think Jack Wilshere is a world class player. He has a great footballing brain, and understands everything that is going on on the football pitch. He is most dangerous when you give him the ball in the final third.
"We had a chat together and he himself was concerned that he would not get enough competition early enough, because he feels ready to play.
"I couldn't guarantee that, so that's why [we took] the decision. I think it looks logical to give him time to really come back to a competitive level. At some stage you need competition and I couldn't guarantee him that."
Wenger may not have Wilshere available for Saturday's visit of Southampton but he could hand Premier League debuts to his two recent arrivals, with defender Shkodran Mustafi and forward Lucas Perez expected to play some part.
There are also doubts over Alexis Sanchez's involvement after he returned from South America on Thursday having played every minute of Chile's two World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Bolivia, while Aaron Ramsey is still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Southampton manager Claude Puel says it will be "a pleasure" to go up against Wenger, who he credits with shaping his career.
The 54-year-old Frenchman was managed by the Gunners boss for seven years at Monaco and since moving into management has been described as Wenger's protege.
Puel became a manager in 1999 at Monaco but Saturday's Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium will be the first time he has faced Wenger in the opposition dugout since he phoned him asking for advice before accepting the Southampton job in June.
Speaking about his fellow Frenchman, Puel said: "Before signing for Southampton I spoke with him about the possibilities to coach in England.
"He said to me it would be a very good challenge to coach in England in the greatest championship in the world.
"It was important to sign for Southampton and to play against these managers."
He added: "Arsene Wenger was my trainer during seven years at Monaco. It (is) a pleasure to see him on the other bench.
"We didn't get the possibilities in the past to play against each other (as managers) in the Champions League for example.
"He played an important role at the beginning of my career.
"He was an example for me with his personality, his character and his qualities as a manager."
Over the international break Saints announced that summer signing Jeremy Pied needed an operation on a knee ligament injury and Puel has confirmed he will be out for between six and nine months.
Ryan Bertrand is back in contention after missing the first three games of the season due to a knee injury but record signing Sofiane Boufal is out for four weeks due to "a little injury".
Source: PAR
