By Laurie Whitwell

PUBLISHED: 10:46 EST, 23 August 2013 | UPDATED: 16:57 EST, 23 August 2013

Jack Wilshere has said his Arsenal career is inextricably linked with Arsene Wenger and that he could leave when the Frenchman departs.

The midfielder also said complaints over Wenger's record were 'ridiculous'.

'I want to win things with Arsenal and I want to be there, but if the boss leaves then things could change,' he told zapsportz.com.

Warning: Jack Wilshere has said he would have to consider his future at Arsenal were Arsene Wenger to leave

Critics: Wilshere has also hit out at Wenger's critics, branding them 'ridiculous'

Critics: Wilshere has also hit out at Wenger's critics, branding them 'ridiculous'

'Arsenal are always in my heart and signing a deal for the next five years shows my commitment to them and their commitment to me.

'Arsene Wenger has been there for so many years and he's always delivered trophies. OK we've had a little dip in the last five or six years, but he's a great manager and people who question his ability are ridiculous.'

'He's qualified for the Champions League for 16 years so I think he's the right man for the job.'

Preparation: Arsenal face Fulham at Craven Cottage at lunchtime on Saturday

Preparation: Arsenal face Fulham at Craven Cottage at lunchtime on Saturday


Wenger earned some breathing space with Wednesday night's 3-0 victory over Fenerbahce, a result that has put Arsenal on the brink of qualification for the group stage of the Champions League.

Eight years have passed since the Gunners won any silverware and Wilshere's robust defence of his manager continued by revealing he expects to win something soon.

'We have lost a few strong, big-name players in recent years and that's hard for any club,' the 21-year-old England midfielder said.

Another year: Arsenal's win in Turkey has virtually guaranteed their passage into the group stage of the Champions League for another year

Another year: Arsenal's win in Turkey has virtually guaranteed their passage into the group stage of the Champions League again

'First we lost Thierry Henry and then Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie.

'That's hard, especially when Robin went to another team in England, it makes it harder for us to compete.

'But now we've got a good crop of young English players coming through and if we stay together and build something then we can win a trophy in the next few years.'

Losses: Selling the likes of Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry has made it difficult for Arsenal, says Wilshere

Losses: Selling the likes of Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry has made it difficult for Arsenal, says Wilshere

Zapsportz.com co-founder Glenn Hoddle has launched a nationwide search for young talent to improve British football. Visit Zapsportz.com for details.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Arsenal will not get rid of Wenger nobody with any power at Arsenal is that intensely stupid. Arsenal could do with getting rid of some of it's fans though....a lot of them might be trolls, but a lot are just hysterical halfwits whose opinion swings to extremes with every article they read, or every bad result. I personally find them a little embarrassing.

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He needs to do his talking both on the pitch and off it. No doubt he has great potential but he lost the ball far too many times against Villa.

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Jack stayed on the pitch last Saturday to applaud the Arsenal fans you stayed to the end. He's a loyal player and holds Arsenal close to his heart.

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I think Jack is great for the Arsenal but his 'unusual' running style (effectively running on the outsides of his sole) contributes to him being injury-prone. His running action puts unnatural stresses on joints/ligaments and Arsenal's academy/medics should have taken steps to help him address this problem as a child/teen. Arsenal could do well to sell Jack in the next few years before his body 'wears-out'. That's not to say he isn't world class; it's just saying this young man may end-up physically wrecked before 30. Of course they'd need to replace him - and that's where the problems start with skinflint Wenger at the helm. Jack's another gifted, hardworking Arsenal midfield dynamo but he's a good 6-inches shorter than Viera and surrounded by other 'shorties'... so swapping him for Fellaini would be fine in my book.

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Really Jack?

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Do not mock Jack Wilshire. This guy (kid) is the full package. Lots of people on this site complain about lack of conviction - "players are not Gooners" all that crap. You cannot have it both ways. I have followed this team around the world since thGeorgee mid-50s and I have seen some dogs but I have also seen some great players. You want a player with class to bleed for Arsenal, he is the one. If you cannot see it shame on you. Remember Charlie George, class player in a different mold, bled Gooner through and through. We need a Jack Wilshire to remind us of our roots. He would have fit well at Highbury with the likes of Bergkamp, George, Wright, Adams, Storey, Simpson and the rest. He would also have fit with Eastham in the 60s, Hudson in the 70s, and Brady. Jump on the bandwagon, drive Wenger out, see what we will have left. Remember the 50s and 60s - 14th place, 9th, 16th, 12th - do I need go on? When Wenger era ends get ready for the 20-year drought. Get what you wish for Gooners!!

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If only his feet were as busy as his endlessly opening mouth.

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Good a win win for Chelsea then! Join London's only successful club and play for the World's best manager!

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Go United, son.

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We probably sell you before you ask for it,The media is making a big deal out of you so sit down.You're not there yet.

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