Wenger Provides Update On Wilshere’s Fitness Situation

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has given an update on Jack Wilshere’s fitness and insists the midfielder has no serious issue with his ankle and will be ready to face Manchester United next weekend.

Wilshere picked up an ankle knock against Spurs last month which kept him on the sidelines for six weeks. While he returned to action against Norwich and Everton last week, he was clearly not 100% fit and the boss rightly decided to give him a breather against Fulham on Saturday.

There were reports over the weekend that the 21-year-old may require a further surgery at the end of the season to replace a pin in his ankle that was inserted during a previous operation back in 2011.

However, while the boss admitted that Wilshere felt some discomfort after the Everton game, he insists the youngster has no ‘basic ankle problem’ and he was rested against the Cottagers as a precaution, and he will be fit to face United at the Emirates next Sunday.

Wenger told Arsenal.com:

“He was in a bit [of pain] after the game but I just felt we had to stop him because of inflammation last time and I just felt to give him three games in six days would be too much,” Wenger said.

“Now he has a break until next Sunday and that is different so he will be available. There is no basic ankle problem.

“I do not want to go into a vicious circle again when I play him, I play him, I play him and then suddenly… I think coming back after six weeks out, two games in a week was enough.

“I don’t want the game in England to lose the commitment and combative side. But Jack has a game that is based on dribbling so he is more exposed to kicks than players who are just passing players. You don’t want him to lose that because that is his strength.”

It appears we rushed Wilshere back a little too soon as he’s been well below his usual standards in recent games, but with a full week of training ahead hopefully he’ll be back to his best against the league leaders next weekend.

Wilshere’s had a torrid time with injury over the past couple of seasons but hopefully he can put that behind him now, get a full pre-season under his belt this summer and really push on next season. But first we’ve got four huge games to contend with and securing that all-important Champions League qualification place.