JACK WILSHERE is not trying to earn a contract at Arsenal while training with his old club, insists former Gunner David Hillier.
The England international midfielder, 29, is a free agent after leaving Bournemouth at the end of last season.
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He has spent time in Italy over recent weeks training at Serie B side Como in order to build up his fitness.
Due to the minnows being unable to register players from outside the European Union, Wilshere was not able to be signed by the Italian outfit.
However, his old Arsenal midfielder partner Mikel Arteta appeared to offer him a huge opportunity last week.
The Spaniard threw open the door for Wilshere to return to the Gunners and train to help him find a new employer.
Wilshere is planning talks with the current Arsenal boss about sessions with the first team.
However, former Arsenal midfielder Hillier insists the out-of-contract ace is already ruling out a second stint at the Emirates.
Hillier, 51, said on the Highbury Squad Podcast: “I have got inside information on this.
“I am a lucky man, so I am actually playing golf on Friday with a guy who does all his security systems at his house and he is very friendly with him.
“He was telling me about him. They are good friends, anyway, from back in the day.
“He said to me that he is just training at the club to try to get another club. There’s no offer of pay-as-play. He hasn’t even spoken to anyone at the club.
“He is happy to take a Championship club and just get back into football. He just wants to play. He wants to get fit.”
Hillier added: “And he certainly doesn’t want to be someone who goes back to the club and just fizzles out at Arsenal. I know that, for sure. That was said in the conversation.
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“He doesn’t want to be someone who wants to be a mentor. He still has got playing to do. He wants Arsenal to miss him. Nothing in it.”
Wilshere spent five years playing alongside Arteta back in his Arsenal days and freely admits he would love to go back.
But he also admitted last winter that the move is unlikely to happen at this stage of his career.
Wilshere, who was released by Bournemouth after spending the second half of last season in the Championship, told the ITV Football Football Show: “Listen, you never know. I’m an Arsenal man.
“I’ve not spoken to anyone or anything but that would be the dream.
“I’m not stupid to know that there’s probably no chance of it happening but I’m an Arsenal man, I love the club and want to see the club do well.”
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