Owen Coyle will ask Arsène Wenger to return Jack Wilshere on loan to Bolton Wanderers for the first half of next season, arguing that if the 18-year-old midfielder is not to play regularly at Arsenal, then the Reebok Stadium would be the best place for his continued development.

Wilshere moved to Bolton at the end of the winter transfer window on loan until the end of the season and, according to Coyle, has improved with each passing game. He was outstanding in the 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, his 13th appearance for the club.

"I put in a call to Arsène last week but I think he was at a board meeting so I will try to have a chat with him this week," said Coyle, the Bolton manager, who is looking to revamp his squad this summer. "It is clear that Jack wants to be an Arsenal player; I love that about him, he's desperate to play in the Arsenal team.

"But if he wasn't going to be in the Arsenal team, I believe it would help myself, Jack and Arsenal to give me another six months. It would do him good staying with us and he would go back there bigger and stronger. All I'm saying is if Arsène and Arsenal don't think he will be playing regularly at the start of the season, give me another six months and I will give him back in January. I would love to keep him."

Wilshere enjoyed an eye-catching pre‑season at Arsenal, with Wenger paying him the compliment of saying that "he reminds me a bit of Wayne Rooney when he started, in his belief and in his positive attitude to go forward". But, having been given his chance to start in four Arsenal games, he struggled to make an impression and Wenger was forced to rethink his strategy. He decided that the loan to Bolton would be the best step forward. Coyle initially played Wilshere in a wide midfield position before switching him to the centre.

"Arsène sees all the games, we send him all the stuff," said Coyle. "When clubs like Arsenal loan players out, they want to know that they are playing and they are looking for them to improve. Jack is enjoying the style that we're playing and he is a great kid as well. You could see his face the other week when I beat him in the darts challenge. He is such a talented player and he has a maturity way beyond his years.

"I feel very fortunate and privileged that Arsène has allowed us to have him and we would like to have him again. It is up to Arsenal but it's fair to say I'll be doing everything I can to ask the question."