Arsenal Star In Battle To Face Liverpool After Suffering Fresh Injury Blow

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is facing an uphill battle to be fit in time to face Liverpool after suffering yet another ankle injury set-back ahead of the new season, according to ESPN.

Wilshere missed Sunday’s 1-0 Community Shield victory over Chelsea at Wembley after picking up an ankle knock in training on Saturday afternoon.

Arsene Wenger didn’t seem too worried about the issue as he told the media in his post-match press conference that he thought the injury would only keep the 23-year-old out for a matter of days.

However, after further examination it appears the injury is worse than first thought as ESPN are one of several media outlets who are reporting today that Wilshere is facing up to three weeks on the sidelines.

If the reports are accurate, then the midfielder is set to miss this weekends Premier League opener against West Ham and the trip to Selhurt Park to take on Crystal Palace the following Sunday, while Wilshere would also face an uphill battle to be passed fit when Liverpool come to the Emirates on Monday 24th August.

The news will come as a huge blow to Arsenal ahead of the new campaign but it will be a particular blow to the player himself as he’s struggled badly with ankle injuries for four years.

After undergoing an operation on his right ankle in 2011, Wilshere was forced under the knife again last November when he had surgery on his left ankle and his injury woes restricted him to just 14 league appearances last year.

This is a huge season in the midfielder’s development as he really needed an injury-free campaign to start fulfilling his obvious potential, so picking up an injury before the season even begin’s is hardly the ideal preparation.