Bolton are desperate to hold onto Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere for a further six months.

The 18-year old has enjoyed a rich vein of form since joining the Trotters in January and manager Owen Coyle is hoping he can convince Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to let him remain at Reebok Stadium for a bit longer.

"I put in a call to Arsene Wenger last week but he was at a board meeting, so I will try and have a chat with him this week," Coyle said.

"It is clear Jack is going to play in the Arsenal team and wants to play for them, and rightly so. But if he isn't going to be in the Arsenal team, I believe it would help myself, Jack and Arsenal to give me another six months.

"He is improving game by game and, although I am biased, I thought he was the best player on the pitch against Tottenham on Saturday. He is only 18, but he is enjoying working with us, so I think it would do him good to stay with us a while longer.

"Jack would go back to Arsenal bigger and stronger - but what we have to remember is that he is their player, and I feel very privileged Arsene has allowed us to have him here.

"When they loan players out, clubs like Arsenal want to know they are playing, but Jack is enjoying himself and he's a great kid as well - you should have seen his face the other week when I beat him in the darts challenge.

"All I'm saying is that if Arsene doesn't think he will be playing regularly for Arsenal at the start of next season, give me another six months and I will hand him back in January."