Wenger, Hodgson come to agreement over Wilshere

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reached a compromise with England boss Roy Hodgson over Jack Wilshere’s participation in next week’s friendly.

The midfielder has been sidelined for over a year with ankle problems, but finally made his return to the Gunners’ first-team in October against QPR.

Wilshere completed his first 90 minutes since making his comeback in a 2-2 draw against Schalke in the Champions League, and was included in the England squad by Hodgson as he will miss Saturday’s visit of Fulham when he serves his one-match suspension.

Wenger revealed he was against the idea of the midfielder going on international duty but has since spoken to Hodgson about Wilshere’s involvement in the friendly against Sweden.

“You know what I think with Jack, that it is early for him,” Wenger said.

“I had Roy Hodgson on the phone, we found a good understanding and a good compromise. What helps is that he is not playing over the weekend because he is suspended, of course.

“He will have a little breather. Roy wants him in the group to connect the game with the players. The ideal solution would be (that he wouldn’t be involved). But it is as it is.

“Jack has played three games now, and of the three games only one full game. He has been out for 17 months.

“It is good to have a little break after three games. What we like of him is he won’t play over the weekend, so will recover. I think he needs 10 days of good recovery.”

Arsenal right-back Carl Jenkinson will also be drafted into the squad, along with top-scorer Theo Walcott. The 20-year-old defender has been in good form covering for the injured Bacary Sagna, and Wenger is delighted his performances have been rewarded.

“I am happy that his potential has been acknowledged by Roy Hodgson, so that is good news,” Wenger said.

“Carl is a guy with massive potential and I believe the positive of that is it will improve his belief, and that is very important for him in my opinion.”

Meanwhile, Wenger also revealed he will do his utmost to keep Walcott at the club.

The England international’s contract expires next summer but the Gunners are yet to tie the winger down to a long-term deal at the Emirates.

Walcott has been in good form this season and is the club’s leading marksman, scoring eight goals in all competitions.

Wenger insists that the will ‘do the maximum’ to keep the player, who recently claimed he deserved an extended run in the first-team, at the Emirates.

“My desire is to keep Theo. We do what’s needed to keep him and hopefully (as) I told you many times, we can sort this situation out very soon,” he said.

“Very soon is before the end of December – one way or another, that is for sure.

“I don’t want to go into any details but you can believe me (that) we do the maximum we can to keep our best players.”