Jack Wilshere has no intention of leaving Arsenal.
Wilshere has been linked with a move to Manchester City, who are eager to buy British this summer to fulfil their home-grown quota in the wake of the departures of James Milner and Frank Lampard.
But despite failing to hold down a first-team place at Arsenal for much of the season, Wilshere has no desire to leave.
“I definitely wouldn’t go somewhere just because I’m a home-grown player. I’d want to be wanted by a club, I want to be wanted by Arsenal,” the midfielder said.
“I’ve grown up at Arsenal. As long as Arsenal want me, I’m happy.”
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As Wilshere sat down at the England team hotel this week ahead of Sunday's trip to Slovenia, he reflected on another rollercoaster year, which saw Arsenal finish third in the Premier League.
“It’s been a frustrating season. There have probably been more lows than highs,” he said.
Winning the FA Cup was a highlight, as was his form in the autumn, when he starred for Arsenal and England.
But once again injury has hindered the 23-year-old’s season.
Just after he had starred in England’s 3-1 win in Scotland last November, Manchester United’s Paddy McNair slid in on Wilshere’s standing foot and wiped the midfielder out.
Writhing in pain on the turf at the Emirates Stadium, Wilshere knew he was facing another long lay-off. It would be six months before he played again.
“I was just starting to play well, I was feeling good about myself,” he said.
When asked if McNair had apologised for the challenge, the midfielder bluntly answered: “No.”
Wilshere has been a regular in the treatment room at Arsenal’s London Colney base ever since he made his debut seven years ago.
Controversy has also dogged him throughout his career.
“I’m not sure why it’s always me,” Wilshere said with a smile.
There have been many regrets. So many, in fact, that he had to pause for almost 40 seconds before deciding which one was his biggest.
“I’ll answer it but, I need to think.” he said, flicking through the index of errors in his mind.
“Being caught smoking,” he continues after the pause.
“That’s because – I’ve said it before and some people don’t believe me – but I’m not a smoker.”
The incident Wilshere was referring to is the time he was pictured holding a shisha pipe while on a night out in February.
It came a year after he was pictured smoking in a pool while on holiday in Las Vegas.
“It was a mistake I made. I definitely regret it,” Wilshere said.
“I made the same mistake twice.
“I have to be sensible this summer.”
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