Jack Wilshere says he’s working hard to stay fit in order to get back into Arsenal’s first team.

Wilshere realises that while a tackle on his ankle could happen at any time and leave him sidelined, he’s doing what he can to remain fit and fight for a place in the first team. However, he’s taking each day as it comes and not over-thinking it.

“I feel good,” he told ITV Sport.

“I’ve played a few games now and I’m training hard, I’m trying to get in a team with world class players which is difficult but I’ll keep trying.

“I have to take it training session by training session, game by game. Every time I get an opportunity I need to show the manager what I can do.

“I’m doing all I can to stay fit – there could be a tackle on my ankle any time. I’m not thinking about that though, I’m thinking positive and I’m happy to be back in an Arsenal shirt.

“The squad was announced and I’m not in it, I’ve got to deal with that. I’ve got to get on the training ground and work hard in the gym. When I get the chance on the pitch I can show the Arsenal manager and the England manager what I can do.”

When Wilshere is fit, there are few players who can rival his quality, especially in the England squad, so he shouldn’t have any trouble getting a call-up once he’s played a few more games. However, that’s the issue. He needs to get those minutes under his belt first.

Arsene Wenger admitted earlier this week that Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are almost blocking the 25-year-old from a first team spot at the moment because he sees the midfielder playing in a more advanced role rather than box-to-box. However, dropping either star would be a bit of a risk.

Wilshere has now made seven appearances for Arsenal’s first team this season although he’s only featured for 13 minutes in the Premier League.

Speaking after the Red Star Belgrade clash at the Emirates on Thursday night, Wenger reiterated the need to keep Wilshere fit.

It sounds simple but we all know that, with Jack, it rarely is.