By Sami Mokbel

PUBLISHED: 17:45 EST, 26 November 2012 | UPDATED: 17:45 EST, 26 November 2012

Jack Wilshere is on course for a bumper new contract as Arsene Wenger starts preparing the midfielder for the Arsenal captaincy.

Sportsmail understands preliminary  discussions regarding a deal extension, which will see the 20-year-old net a significant increase on his 50,000-a-week deal, have taken place.

The England star still has two-and-a-half years left to run on that contract but the Arsenal hierarchy are understandably eager to extend it. They do not want any uncertainty over Wilshere's future.

Perfect 10: Jack Wilshere was honoured by the famous shirt in the summer

Perfect 10: Jack Wilshere was honoured by the famous shirt in the summer

Germany forward Lukas Podolski is understood to be the club's top earner on 90,000 a week but, while Wilshere's next  offer is unlikely to be on that scale, the pay increase will make him one of the Gunners' best-paid players.

Wilshere has enjoyed a morale-boosting month after his injury nightmare.

Having missed the whole of last season with ankle, foot and knee problems, he has made a  successful return to club football and an instant return to the international game after his call-up to the England squad for the friendly against Sweden two weeks ago.

The midfielder will be buoyed further by Wenger's plan to make him Arsenal's next captain. The manager has privately identified him as the long-term successor to skipper Thomas Vermaelen.

Wearing the armband: Thomas Vermaelen (centre) is Arsenal's current skipper

Wearing the armband: Thomas Vermaelen (centre) is Arsenal's current skipper

The Belgium defender is under no immediate danger of losing the armband to Wilshere but a plan is in place to promote the  talented playmaker within the next two-and-a-half years.

Having come through the club's academy system, Wilshere has a deep emotional attachment to Arsenal and Wenger likes that. The manager took a similar decision when he made Cesc Fabregas club captain at the age of 21, while Gunners legend Tony Adams'  14-year stint as skipper started at the  same age.

Wenger hopes the lure of the armband will persuade Wilshere, who was given the club's famed No 10 shirt in the summer, that his long-term future lies at the Emirates Stadium.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Wenger's usual m.o. Make someone the captain so they will stay. :-(

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Whilst he might be right to be the captain one day, why would Wenger even say this to a 20 year old, to get him to commit? Are Arsenal captains appointed because Wenger is scared to loose them? Lets first see how he develops before putting silly adeas into his head....., Wilshire doesn't need those distractions and what does it say to Vermaelen: you only got 2 years left...max!!! (mind you, the way he is playing lately, he might not get there)

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A lot of negative comments from Manchester, probably people angry at Cleverley being so far behind Wilshere in the national set-up. Capello, Hodgson, Wenger and the judgin panel for Young Player of The Year disagree with you lads and i'm convinced that their combined understanding of football is much better than yours. They probably never watch Arsenal matches anyway. As for comment about him going to Spurs, at least suggest a club with more money and more success so there's an element of believability in it. It's a big IF but if Financial Fair Play is successful Arsenals' new sponsorship deals put them on a par with any team when it comes to spending power over the next few years.

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Jamesie, good for you mate!

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He's our new Tony Adams- Arsenal thru and thru and he'll grow to be a leader once he's matured a bit. In a strange kind of way that injury might be the making of him, I've got Multiple Sclerosis and was diagnosed 3 years ago, and after a year of hell I decided I'd fight it thru diet, nutrition and exercise- basically my point is hitting rock bottom gave me strength I never knew I had, and despite the pain etc that's left behind I've never loved life so much and I'm miraculously in the best shape of my life. Jack's a warrior too and he'll fight back and be stronger than he ever would if been otherwise, he'll make the most if every moment- prepare to be excited, got a feeling him and Carzola will be up there with the best as a combo, wait until they truly click ;)

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Yes, he is definitely the future armband holder for Arsenal and England.

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Wilshere will stay at Arsenal until his retirement. born to play for this club.

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MKDAWUSS is clueless, he thinks Wilshere will join Tottenham like he will clueless idiot.

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captain bowlegged jack

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Wilshere's gonna' be captain? Expect him to be sold to Tottenham over the summer. Theo's going to Chelsea in January.

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