Arsene Wenger Talks Jack Wilshere Future, Gives Olivier Giroud Injury Update

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he expects Jack Wilshere to stay at the club and striker Olivier Giroud could return from injury in mid-January. 

Wilshere's contract expires at the end of the season, and Wenger said he will discuss a new deal with the 25-year-old, per John Cross of the Mirror:

The midfielder spent last season on loan at Bournemouth but missed the end of the campaign after suffering a fractured fibula against Tottenham Hotspur.

Wilshere's career has been blighted by injuries, but he has managed to return to full fitness and force his way into the Arsenal team in recent weeks.

Opta showed how Wilshere has started three consecutive Premier League games for the Gunners for the first time in over three years:

Henry Winter at The Times was impressed with Wilshere during Arsenal's 3-3 draw with Liverpool prior to Christmas:

Wilshere has said that he wants to stay at Arsenal and is hopeful a deal can be done, per James Kilpatrick at Sky Sports News.

There is no doubting Wilshere's talent and the quality he can bring to Arsenal, but his fitness record is an issue and potentially the reason why Arsenal have delayed offering a new deal.

Giroud, meanwhile, picked up a hamstring injury in Arsenal's 1-0 Carabao Cup win over West Ham United earlier this month.

Per L'Equipe (h/t Jake Polden at the Mirror), it was initially feared the injury could keep Giroud out until February.

Wenger seemed a little unsure as to when the Frenchman could return before saying it may be much sooner than expected, per Cross:

The loss of Giroud has been a blow for Arsenal because he has proved to be a valuable option off the bench for Wenger's side.

The Telegraph showed just how effective he is as a substitute:

Arsenal will be hoping they can get Giroud back as soon as possible, particularly as January is a busy month with League Cup and FA Cup fixtures, games in which the striker may have expected to start.