According to reports in the Daily Mail, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is increasingly confident that midfielder Jack Wilshere will sign a new contract worth £80,000-a-week before the summer.

What's the word, then?

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Well, the England international's current deal with the north London outfit is due to run out at the end of June, but because of his injury problems in the past the Daily Mail says the Gunners are only willing to offer a new contract that would see him take a £20,000-a-week pay cut from his current £100,000-a-week wage, but would also include performance-related add-ons.

However, they are running out of time to convince the 26-year-old to stay at the Emirates as he can of course leave for nothing at the end of the season, while he is free to negotiate with clubs from abroad now.

The Daily Mail adds that while the midfielder's representatives are pushing for a better deal with a higher salary, Arsenal are confident that an agreement will soon be reached between the two parties.

How has Wilshere done this season?

Following his loan spell with Bournemouth last term and the fact that he struggled to get much game time in the Premier League early on in this campaign, it seemed as though the 26-year-old would be on his way out of the Emirates.

However, things have turned more in his favour in recent weeks and months and he has made 24 appearances in all competitions in total, with 14 of those coming in the top flight even though he didn’t start for the first time until the 0-0 draw against Arsenal in December.

The midfielder has scored two goals and provided a further five assists in total, while according to WhoScored.com he has made 23 key passes across 20 outings in the Premier League and the Europa League, while he has successfully completed 57 of the 78 dribbles he has attempted.

How much of a boost would it be if he signed?

It would be a huge boost.

The 26-year-old is loved by the supporters and there was never any doubt about his ability, it was solely his injury record that had put his future at the Emirates into doubt.

Wenger will be desperate to see the midfielder do well if he does put pen to paper on a new contract, and he has the ability to be a key first-team player for Arsenal for many years to come because of the quality he has and the fact that he loves the club.

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