Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists Jack Wilshere still has a future with the club.
Wenger says Wilshere's Arsenal future is not under threat despite sanctioning the England international's loan move to Bournemouth.
Despite letting Wilshere leave on a temporary basis to improve his fitness and play more minutes, Wenger will not be looking to move him on when he returns and believes he is a top-quality player.
Asked if Wilshere's Arsenal career was in the balance, Wenger replied: "No, not at all, no. He wanted games and I can understand his desire.
"I felt it was a logical decision. Let's not forget that last year he didn't play. He's in a position where you need games. You can't not compete for two seasons and then want to be at the top level.
"It's important for him that he gets the number of games this season.
"I think Jack Wilshere is a world class player. He has a great footballing brain, and understands everything that is going on the football pitch. He is most dangerous when you give him the ball in the final third.
"We had a chat together and he himself was concerned that he would not get enough competition early enough, because he feels ready to play.
"I couldn't guarantee that, so that's why [we took] the decision. I think it looks logical to give him time to really come back to a competitive level. At some stage you need competition and I couldn't guarantee him that."
He is expected to feature further forward for Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, with Wenger pleased that he will be given licence to impact games at the attacking end of the pitch.
"Personally that's where I prefer him," he said.
"For me, it was always a shame when he played too deep and too close to the goal because I like him where he can create. The thinking behind the [move] was that he would get regular football and come back to what he is - a world class football player.
"He's a world class player and he doesn't have to show me that he has the quality to play at Bournemouth, just that he comes back to a regular competitive level."
