Saturday 10 September 2016 19:01, UK
Arsene Wenger has backed Jack Wilshere to one day become the manager of Arsenal despite the fact the midfielder has been allowed to leave the Emirates for Bournemouth this season.
Wilshere is expected to make his competitive debut for the Cherries against West Brom on Saturday after completing a season-long loan move to the south coast on Deadline Day.
However, Wenger insists the 24-year-old still remains an integral part of his plans and even hopes to see the England international manage the Gunners later in his career.
"I hope personally that he stays here his whole career," said Wenger, ahead of Saturday's match against Southampton.
"Certainly one day he will be in my [manger's] seat. He has a real football brain and understands football. You know really, it's in his genes. I see him in the future at this club of course. He will spend his life in football, he is a football man.
"He has an eye on everybody, it's in him. You have that or you haven't got it, but he is a real football man."
Wilshere left the Emirates this summer in search of regular first-team football after seeing his Arsenal career grind to a halt after a number of injuries.
He impressed for Eddie Howe's side during a friendly against AC Milan last weekend and Wenger is confident the midfielder will continue to excite Bournemouth supporters as he attempts to rebuild his reputation as one of the country's best young talents.
"If he plays, he will play really well because he cannot play badly," Wenger said.
"But the first person to be happy about that, would be me. I do not try to be right, but if I give him out and he plays, I will be more right.
"What you want more than anything is for a player with his talent to play. In a selfish way, you want him to play for your club but there is a bigger perspective, you want him to play and express his talent."
Wenger insists Wilshere remains a "world class" player despite being unable to offer him a regular first-team place this season.
"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," Wenger said.
"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."
Wenger also confirmed that he intends to offer the midfielder a contract extension later in the campaign.
"I want him to extend, yes," said the Frenchman. "I think [talks will start] around December. When I make a decision it is in the best interests of the player and of his interest as well.
"I try always to combine the interests of the club and the interests of the player. In this case that's what I try to do. After, sometimes it doesn't always come out as you want him to. But he is a real Arsenal man as well."
