Jack Wilshere Wants Arsenal Stay, England World Cup Place After EPL Return

Jack Wilshere is hopeful his return to starting Premier League matches for Arsenal will help him earn a new contract at the club and a place in England's FIFA World Cup squad next summer. 

According to the Daily Telegraph and the Press Association, he said: "This is where I want to be. Whether I will be and whether things sort themselves out, then we will see in the next couple of weeks. I am enjoying my football and am playing in the Premier League now, and I want to help Arsenal get to where it should be."

Wilshere said the most important thing for him is he's getting on the pitch, because "as long as I am playing, I am happy."

He added: "I'm in a good place mentally. I want to continue improving my form, having a positive impact on the team and helping the team try to get into the top four and challenge for trophies."

The midfielder recently made a long-awaited Premier League start for the Gunners, per their official Twitter account:

Wilshere was cautiously reintroduced to the team by manager Arsene Wenger after he broke his leg while playing on loan at Bournemouth last season. He has largely been restricted to appearing in the UEFA Europa League and the Carabao Cup save for a few cameos in the league this term.

The 25-year-old is in the final year of his Arsenal deal, and Wenger has revealed he will discuss Wilshere's future with him in the coming weeks, per Goal's Chris Wheatley:

Wilshere has taken the opportunities he has been given to try to earn a new deal.

He has not only been able to start back-to-back Premier League games just three days apart and play 90 minutes in each, but he's also been impressive throughout his time on the pitch this season.

The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg praised him for his recent performance against West Ham United, while the Mirror's John Cross believes him to be far superior to team-mate Granit Xhaka:

Wilshere is hoping those showings catch the attention of England boss Gareth Southgate.

After being asked whether his performances could help his efforts to turn out for the Three Lions in Russia, he said: "I think so. I have proved to myself I can play in the Premier League, I trust my body again and I am confident that I can affect games. That is all I can do, and then we will see if the England manager picks me."

Roy Hodgson named the Arsenal man, who played just 141 minutes in the preceding season, in his England squad for UEFA Euro 2016.

However, when fit, Wilshere is a cut above many of the options Southgate has in midfield, so if he continues to play regularly for Arsenal over the next six months—and play well—there's no reason he shouldn't be considered for a place in the squad.

As for Arsenal, it's still early days for him to prove his long-term fitness at the club. After all, he made 29 Premier League appearances last year before suffering yet another injury.

He is doing all he can, though, so he has a good chance of being given a new deal.