Arsenal are hopeful Jack Wilshere will be fit to feature for the first-team ahead of the 2017/18 campaign, which starts on August 12.

Bournemouth confirmed Wilshere’s season is over, having sustained a hairline fracture of his left fibula after an accidental collision with Tottenham’s Harry Kane on Saturday. Arsenal then also confirmed the injury.

A forgettable 4-0 away defeat was made worse by the fact Wilshere will miss the remainder of the current season. Eddie Howe’s side are seven points clear of safety with five matches to go and will miss their creator-in-chief, despite suggestions his loan spell this term hasn’t been as good as it initially seemed on deadline day last year.

In response to recent developments regarding his condition, Arsenal released a statement.

They said, “Jack will undergo further specialist assessments in the forthcoming days to identify more specifics regarding the injury and also to structure a rehabilitation programme.

“It is hoped that Jack will be fit for the start of next season. Everyone at the club wishes Jack a speedy recovery.”

Wilshere, whose existing contract deal expires next summer, could find himself in a precarious situation in the coming months. Unless he’s able to recover from this latest setback quickly, it will create further doubts about his long-term future at the club – especially given the opportunity for Arsenal to cash in on him now, as opposed to letting his contract run down further and risk losing him on a free.

Supporters’ opinions are split on this topic. Some have suggested Arsenal should offload the midfielder, especially given the well-documented patience that Wenger had with Abou Diaby in previous years. Others meanwhile, have stressed the importance of giving him another opportunity – he has the ability to regain his starting place in midfield, but such a poor injury record means questions will continually be asked about reliability.