Wilshere Fears Mount As Wenger Confirms No Return Date In Sight

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given an update on the fitness of midfielder Jack Wilshere and has warned he is still some way off making a first team return.

The England ace missed the whole of last season with an ankle injury after suffering a series of setbacks during his recovery, including having to make a trip to Sweden to have an operation on his knee.

The 20-year-old is now being wrapped in cotton wool by Arsenal medical staff and although Wenger remains positive, he’s reluctant to put an exact time-scale on the midfielders return.

The Frenchman feels the youngster is still some way off making a comeback as he’s still not even back on the training pitch yet, saying it will be at least September before he’s considered, while the Daily Mail suggest it could be as late as October before we see Wilshere in an Arsenal shirt again.

Wenger said:

‘I am positive but a bit cautious because we had so much disappointing news with him. Everybody in the medical department says to me he’s doing very well.

‘He is still in the gym. Any player still in the gym in July is not on the pitch in August, that is for sure. I don’t want to give him any precise deadline because that would put him under huge pressure.

‘At the moment, I’m trying to go step-by-step with him but the news is positive. I am more positive this time because there is no setback.

‘He had his ankle problem and that reated a knee problem. He needed surgery on his knee tendon.

‘The advantage of this was to heal completely the inflammation in the ankle. The ankle is perfect and the knee is doing very well. Normally he should go out again in a few weeks.

‘It will take some time to come back but let’s not forget Jack is 20 and that means you recover quicker than when you’re 32. If he has no medical problem, he will come back very quickly.’

Wenger is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail

The situation with Wilshere is becoming a real worry and surely questions need to be asked about the capabilities of the clubs medical team.

The whole injury situation seems like its been poorly handled from start to finish. From what began as a simple ankle injury has turned into over a year on the sidelines and Jack’s still not even back on the training pitch and no return date is in sight.

Also, the worry is after such a long period out, when he does eventually return to doing competitive work on the training ground, he is likely to pick up some minor knocks along the way, delaying his first team return even further.

Hopefully with some luck we could see him back at some point in September, but i’m not holding my breath. But hay, at least we can reply on Diaby to replace him and stay fit, can’t we?!

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