Arsenal boss Wenger: I want Wilshere to stay and be captain

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he doesn't want to lose Jack Wilshere.

Wenger hopes to keep him at the club and with club captain Per Mertesacker set to hang his boots up following this campaign, the north London side could turn to Wilshere to take the responsibility.

"He was born at the club basically," he told beIN SPORTS.

"He has a long history with the club, strong link with the club.

"Jack Wilshere on the pitch is a big quality.

"Apart from his technical top qualities he has personality and is in the right place on the pitch, and now with the maturity to organise around him.

"That's why I played him central.

"I just thought the combination of history, the fact that he's a long term player for the club, the fact that he has experience and knowledge now, I trust now to make him captain."