by Lewis Ambrose

Arsenal were without Jack Wilshere as the Gunners beat Chelsea 1-0 in the Community Shield on Sunday.

The midfielder suffered an issue with his ankle in training on Saturday and wasn’t risked at Wembley said Arsène Wenger, who played down fears that the issue could be another long-term setback for Wilshere.

“He couldn’t take part in the game today because of an ankle problem he sustained yesterday,” said Wenger after the game on Sunday.

“It happened at the training ground. We don’t think it’s bad at all but I haven’t been told whether it will be two days or five days. I don’t know how long he will not be available for. It’s a matter of days.”

That, however, is now being contradicted by various reports. David Ornstein of BBC Sport confirmed that Wilshere is still being assessed but also said the issue was more serious than something that will just keep the midfielder out for ‘a few days’ as Wenger had said.

Wilshere had surgery on his left ankle last season after a bad tackle from Paddy McNair of Manchester United and missed almost six months of the season as a result. Now the Guardian are also saying that Wilshere’s injury is more serious than first reported, and that he is definitely out of Sunday’s opening Premier League game against West Ham United.

The blow is a serious one. Only last week Wenger said Wilshere needs to stay fit to reach the very highest level, but he hasn’t managed to do so since the 2010/11 season.