After featuring twice for the Arsenal u21s in the last week the good news for Arsenal and England fans is that Jack Wilshere is on his way back.
The midfielder is yet to play for the Arsenal first team this summer following an injury suffered at the end of pre-season. After unexpectedly requiring an operation, Wilshere finally seems to be over his setbacks and ready to play.
On Thursday, an Arsenal u21s appearance lasted 90 minutes as Wilshere stepped up his return but he won’t be involved against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
“I think he needs one more game at least now,” said Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger on Friday. “We play again on Monday night with the u21s and he should be involved in that.”
That game on Monday night is against West Bromwich Albion and is a big one – if the Gunners win they will secure promotion to the top u21 division. If not, the team will face a playoff which they have to win to return to the top flight following relegation two years ago season.
There’s no doubt, then, that Monday’s game will be a competitive one and the expectations on Wilshere will be high. It’s perfect, as he needs to prove he can play at a high intensity before he is considered for first team selection. When he’s done that?
“I’ll have to see how he is compared to all the other competitors for a place in the first team,” confirmed the Arsenal boss, who will consider Wilshere after another game for the u21s.
“Once he’s through with three or four games at that level, of course you consider him.”
With the season essentially over for Arsenal there’s no harm in selecting Wilshere, as long as he is fit, to help him improve his fitness before this summer’s European championships. Good news for England, at least.