Football News : Arsenal's Jack Wilshere: No place like home

By ESPN staff

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has pledged his future to the Gunners and described criticism of boss Arsene Wenger as a "joke".

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Jack Wilshere is currently sidelined with a long-term ankle injury

Wenger's side lost key midfielders Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas over the summer transfer window, and there is talk that captain Robin van Persie, who has less than two years to run on his contract, will also leave.

There are doubts over whether Arsenal have what it takes to hold on to their star players, particularly after making a slow start to the Premier League season. The Gunners are currently 15th, having lost four of their opening seven matc hes, conceding 16 goals in the process.

But Wilshere, who is out until next year after undergoing ankle surgery, has offered Wenger a boost by revealing that he sees his future at Emirates Stadium. "No disrespect to Manchester City but Arsenal is the perfect home for me right now," Wilshere told the Evening Standard. "Some players have got their price but, to be honest, that's not the way I look at the game.

"All I think about is playing at the highest level and in the top competitions so I can measure myself against the best in the world. I really am happy at Arsenal at the minute. Obviously, I want to win things and I want to do it with Arsenal."

Meanwhile, Wilshere has leapt to the defence of Wenger, who has come under fire for his failure to address the Gunners' defensive woes. "We do get a harder time from the critics than most teams but we haven't won anything for six years and that's not good enough for Arsenal," Wilshere said. "It is harsh, t hough, especially on the boss. He has been there for 15 years and been great for Arsenal. The criticism Arsene gets is just a joke."