Arsene Wenger says he sees Jack Wilshere as a contender for one of the places in the front three more than a central midfielder these days.

The 25 year old is set to take up his place alongside Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Red Star Belgrade, with the manager also revealing his long-term future would be sorted out before the January transfer window.

Wilshere has less than 12 months to run on his current deal and in the past Wenger has said any new deal would be dependent on him proving his fitness.

“I said many times that would be decided in December,” he said of a new contract.

“I wanted to give him six months not to think about that and see where we go. Do we want to clear it up before the January window? Yes.”

As for his position in the side, the Frenchman now looks at him as attacking option rather than the deeper-lying midfield player he’s been most of his career.

“For me, Jack is in the position between wide and completely central, or in that area behind the midfield, because he turns the game forward well, he can chip a little ball and he can pass people on the short space.

“That’s why I think the system suits him well. He’s a little bit in conflict for a position with Ozil and Sanchez. I consider him as part of the front three.”

So, it seems those who hope Wilshere can add something to the centre of midfield will be disappointed, although he hasn’t completely ruled him out of playing there again.

Perhaps with more match fitness he could be considered there.