Arsene Wenger does not expect Sylvain Wiltord to go behind his back and pledge his future to another club while his Arsenal contract runs down.
Sylvain Wiltord: Wenger confident (BenRadford/GettyImages)
The French striker's Highbury deal expires in the summer, with a continued impasse between player and club over a possible extension.
Wiltord, the club's ?1million record signing four years ago, wants three more seasons but the Gunners - aware he turns 30 in May - are only offering two.
The former Bordeaux man is free to sign pre-contract terms at an overseas club.
But Wenger does not foresee that situation developing and believes the two parties will finally agree a new deal towards the end of the season.
'Sylvain could sign a pre-contract with another club and that's not an ideal situation for us,' the manager said.
'But he looks like somebody who is working hard to come back - not someone who has signed for someone else.
'I've said he will stay and he's committed and works very hard every day.
'I will meet him in March or April and he will now decide what he wants to do. He's the master of his own destiny and that puts the ball in his court.
'I accept players can do what they want when they're out of contract - and you have to respect everyone's decision.'
Wenger, who back in 2001 snapped up Sol Campbell on a Bosman free transfer from Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham, will lose Wiltord for nothing if he decides to walk away at the end of the campaign.
'That's just the Bosman rule and you have to accept it,' he manager added.
'You can't take advantage of it on one side and then complain on the other side.'
Wiltord is out of Sunday's Barclaycard Premiership clash at Aston Villa with the ankle injury sidelining him for another 10 days.
