LONDON -- Arsene Wenger has promised to do "the maximum I can" to keep Jack Wilshere at Arsenal, and insists there's plenty of time to hammer out a new deal for Aaron Ramsey.
Wilshere has yet to sign a new contract with his deal expiring this summer, despite both the midfielder and Wenger making it clear they want to extend his stay at the Emirates.
Arsenal have reportedly offered injury-plagued Wilshere a deal that would lower his salary, but with increased incentives based on appearances and results.
And with Mesut Ozil having signed a new deal last week, Wenger is optimistic over a breakthrough with Wilshere as well.
"I'm positive, because I want him to stay. I do the maximum I can to make him happy," Wenger said. "We try to make progress and I told you that many times for Ozil. You never believed me."
Wilshere faces another battle to get back into Arsenal's starting lineup after Ramsey took advantage of the Englishman's recent illness by scoring a hat trick in the 5-1 win against Everton last Saturday.
Arsenal are also in talks in Ramsey about a new contract, but Wenger downplayed the urgency to get a deal done since the Welshman is tied to the club until 2019.
"He is a little bit different, with less time constraints than with Jack," Wenger added.
"With Jack it is now. With Aaron, do we lose two weeks or three weeks, it doesn't matter much. I want him to stay as well. Especially if he starts to score hat tricks."