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Cape Town - Jack Wilshere is hoping to finalise a new deal with Arsenal before the turn of the year as he looks to extend his stay beyond the current campaign.
The 25-year-old midfielder is about to enter the final six months of his contract at the Emirates Stadium and would be free to talk to other clubs in January.
Wilshere has been urged by former Gunners forward Charlie Nicholas to leave the north London giants at the end of the season, but the England international is determined to help Arsene Wenger's side challenge for silverware for many years to come.
"I definitely want to be here," he told Sky Sports News.
"I'm enjoying my football and I love playing in the Premier League now and I want to help Arsenal get to where they should be.
"We just have to sort things out and I'm sure that will happen in the next couple of weeks and it will be sorted."
Wilshere has gone through the first half of the season injury-free after recovering from a fractured leg which had sidelined him for four months until August.
The Arsenal youth product has made 15 appearances in all competitions this term and he's aiming to get into Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad in Russia next year.
"The biggest thing for any footballer, and even more so for me because of the games missed in the past, is that you are playing," added Wilshere.
"Apart from that, there's small things to sort out but as long as I'm playing then I'm happy. I've missed too much football and I just want to be playing.
"I think I've proved to myself that I can play in the Premier League and I trust my body again and that I can affect games. I can have a positive effect on this team and then maybe we'll see if the England manager picks me.
"I'm just focused on the game on Friday, I'm in a good place mentally at the minute. I want to continue improving my form, affecting the team and help to get into the top four and challenge for trophies."
