London--Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told Manchester City his club no longer need to sell the likes of Jack Wilshere while warning no player can be assured of first-team action at the north London giants.
Reports in the British press have linked England midfielder Wilshere with a move to faltering champions City after the end of the current Premier League season.
But Wenger is not in a mood to entertain offers for the 23-year-old, who has been at Arsenal since the age of nine, or indeed anyone else.
Instead the second-placed Gunners, who were hampered financially by the cost of the club's move from their former Highbury home to the Emirates Stadium, aim to rid themselves of a reputation for selling key players, such as now Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.
"We are not in a position any more where we have to sell our best players," Wenger said Thursday.
"We cannot make a case of any headline in any newspaper in a press conference from things that are not true," the veteran French manager added.
Wilshere, long troubled by ankle problems, has recovered from a latest bout of surgery and could make his first appearance since the end of November away to relegation candidates Burnley on Saturday.
"Everybody can have a big impact until the end of the season, Jack included," Wenger said. "Every player who doesn't play is very frustrated when he can not perform -- (Abou) Diaby has been out for a year, (Theo) Walcott has been out for a year.
"Wilshere has played many games this year, he was out, but not for as long as Walcott or Diaby."
Talented playmaker Wilshere appeared in an Arsenal under-21s match against Stoke earlier this week, together with captain Mikel Arteta and midfielder Diaby, who are both on the way back from injuries.
AFP
