Arsenal to offer new contract to Jack Wilshere in new year, reveals Arsene Wenger as he admits he hasn't spoken to England international during his time on loan at Bournemouth

Arsenal intend to offer Jack Wilshere a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.

The England international was packed off on a season-long loan to Bournemouth during the summer and his future in north London appeared to be in the balance.

However, manager Arsene Wenger has now revealed the Gunners are planning to give Wilshere the option to extend his stay with the club, with the Frenchman keen to arrange meetings with the player's representatives in the new year.

Jack Wilshere is set to be offered a new contract by Arsenal in the new year

Arsene Wenger revealed the Gunners' intentions during a press conference on Friday

At his pre-match press conference ahead of the visit of Bournemouth in the Premier League this weekend, Wenger was asked whether the midfielder would be offered fresh terms.

'Of course,' he said. 'Ideally [it will be addressed before next summer].

'We have to plan around the new year.

'I am happy that he develops well. In the end it was a good decision to go to Bournemouth because he gets regular football. People who watch him say he is getting stronger every week.

'The regular football has helped him develop a lot and come back to the level he needs to be.'

Wilshere is on a season-long loan at Bournemouth and his Arsenal days had looked numbered

Wenger has said that Manchester United cannot be ruled out of the Premier League title race

Wenger, however, has not been in regular contact with Wilshere during his time on the south coast.

'I leave him to talk to his manager,' the Arsenal boss said. 'When I can watch him, I do watch him.'

Wenger also suggested that Emiliano Martinez will become a future Arsenal No 1 after the third-string goalkeeper signed a new contract with the Gunners.

'He is our No 3 at the moment but he has the potential to become No 1 and that's why we extended his contract.

'He learns a lot of the moment. He is a future goalkeeper for Arsenal. The problem in his job that he has to be patient.'