Jack Wilshere admits it ‘hurts’ to see Arsenal struggling.

The midfielder is currently on a season-long loan from the Gunners at Bournemouth and takes on north London rivals Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Spurs can move within four points of leaders Chelsea with a win at the Lane, a result that would take them 17-points clear of Arsenal, who are struggling to finish within the Champions League qualification places.

Asked whether Tottenham’s rise under Mauricio Pochettino was painful to watch, Wilshere insisted that the issues closer to home have more of an affect.

"It hurts me to see Arsenal faltering; I wouldn't say it hurts me to see Tottenham rise. They've always been there or thereabouts," Wilshere told Sky Sports.

"It might change this year but it hurts me more to see Arsenal struggling.”

Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on last Monday, their fifth league defeat in eight games, saw the pressure intensify on manager Arsene Wenger, but Wilshere came out in support of the 67-year-old.

"He [Wenger] has always been great for me. He put me in at a young age which you don't see a lot at top clubs with all the pressure for trophies.

In Pictures | Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal captains 9 show all In Pictures | Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal captains 1/9 Tony Adams Getty Images 2/9 Patrick Vieira Getty Images 3/9 Thierry Henry Getty Images 4/9 William Gallas Getty Images 5/9 Cesc Fabregas AFP/Getty Images 6/9 Robin van Persie Bongarts/Getty Images 7/9 Thomas Vermaelen Arsenal FC via Getty Images 8/9 Mikel Arteta Getty Images 9/9 Per Mertesacker Arsenal FC via Getty Images 1/9 Tony Adams Getty Images 2/9 Patrick Vieira Getty Images 3/9 Thierry Henry Getty Images 4/9 William Gallas Getty Images 5/9 Cesc Fabregas AFP/Getty Images 6/9 Robin van Persie Bongarts/Getty Images 7/9 Thomas Vermaelen Arsenal FC via Getty Images 8/9 Mikel Arteta Getty Images 9/9 Per Mertesacker Arsenal FC via Getty Images

"He stuck with me and showed faith in me. So for me he's great and I can't imagine Arsenal without him. He has been great for me and that's all I can say.”