Bolton are looking to prolong Jack Wilshere’s loan from Arsenal for a further six months. Wilshere is set to return to the Emirates stadium at the end of the season having been on-loan with Bolton since January.
The hot prospect had a promising pre-season with Arsenal with Wenger praising the young midfielder saying that ‘he reminds me a bit of Wayne Rooney when he started, in his belief and in his positive attitude to go forward’. With all the praise and accolades came very little, Wilshere only managed to start four times for Arsenal, leaving Wenger to rethink his plans for his young starlet. He decided that a loan move for the 18-year-old would be his best option. Since making the switch to the Reebok stadium, Wilshere has managed to achieve precious premiership experience and has been a valuable asset to the club, making 13 appearances for Bolton.
Although Wilshere is due back at Arsenal come the end of the season, Bolton boss Owen Coyle has expressed his desire to keep the 18-year-old midfielder for a longer duration so that he could develop his game, rather than sit on the bench at Arsenal. Coyle has stated that the proposed extended loan deal would see the player go back to the gunners ‘bigger and better”. Coyle will ask Wenger in the summer for Wilshere to return to Bolton for the start of next season, arguing that if the player does not get a looking at Arsenal, then he will at Bolton, and in doing so help the player’s attributes develop. Many fans believe (including Coyle) that Jack Wilshere is improving with every game he plays. The youngster is seen as a great prospect by his current club, and pundits believe that he will become a future England star.
Jack Wilshere will no doubt want to play for Arsenal at some stage of his career, but at this time will he be able to cement a place in the first team? Owen Coyle certainly doesn’t think so. Speaking to the Guardian the Bolton boss had this to say on the subject:
"It is clear that Jack wants to be an Arsenal player; I love that about him, he's desperate to play in the Arsenal team. But if he wasn't going to be in the Arsenal team, I believe it would help myself, Jack and Arsenal to give me another six months”
He goes on to say:
“It would do him good staying with us and he would go back there bigger and stronger. All I'm saying is if Arsène and Arsenal don't think he will be playing regularly at the start of the season, give me another six months and I will give him back in January. I would love to keep him."
Wenger seems to have a dilemma with Wilshere for next season. Having lost key players to injury this season (most notably Robin van Persie and skipper Cesc Farbregas) should Wilshere stay and wait for his moment? Or will another loan spell be beneficial for the youngster at this stage of his career? Wilshere will believe that he is ready to stake a claim in the Arsenal side; however is he capable of performing week in week out for the gunners? These thoughts will surely be in the mind of Arsene Wenger as he looks to strengthen his squad for next season.
The Bolton boss would love to see Jack Wilshere wear the white shirt again next season, even if only for six months, but he is also expecting the worse. Regardless of the outcome, Coyle has thanked Wenger for allowing the young creative midfielder to play for his side. Speaking to the Guardian he says:
"I feel very fortunate and privileged that Arsène has allowed us to have him and we would like to have him again. It is up to Arsenal but it's fair to say I'll be doing everything I can to ask the question."
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