Wilshere returns as Arsenal lose to Norwich

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere returned to their squad at Norwich City on Saturday but manager Arsene Wenger opted against bringing him off the bench in the 1-0 Premier League defeat.

Wilshere, tipped as England's big hope before an ankle injury ruled him out for 14 months, is on the verge of a return after his career was put on hold.

"We have to be conscious he has not played for 14 months," Wenger said. "I would have brought him on if the game had allowed it today, but it was too intense.

"He will play on Monday with the reserves and then we will see where we go from there. He needs games."

Arsenal are in desperate need of Wilshere's influence on the pitch after their first defeat at Norwich for 28 years left them 10 points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Wenger was critical of his players on Saturday after a lacklustre display.

"It was a disappointing performance from us," Wenger said. "If you are not ready for the fight then you will always have bad surprises."

Wilshere has been sidelined since the start of last season after struggling to recover from ankle and knee injuries, but the England star has played in several Under-21 matches for his club in recent weeks and has been declared fit to travel to Carrow Road this week.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had told journalists in his pre-match media briefing on Friday that Wilshere would most likely play in another under-21s game against Everton next week and then come into contention for the League Cup tie at Reading on October 30.

But Wilshere's agent Simon Bayliff confirmed the 20-year-old will be involved this weekend.

He wrote on Twitter: "It's been two "good news" days in a row. Doesn't happen very often. Jack travels to Norwich in the £AFC 1st team squad! Delighted."

Wilshere's return is a major boost for the Gunners, but Wenger refused to get carried away because he knows it will be difficult for the midfielder to immediately recapture his best form.

Let's wait until Jack comes back. He has not played in the first team for 14 months," Wenger said.

"Do you know what that is like, 14 months out of competition? Jack works very hard, he is doing well, but let's not go too far.

"There are two aspects. One is the apprehension to go into challenges when you have too many injuries, on that front we are at 100 per cent. We even have to calm him down. He goes for every challenge and has no apprehension.

"Then you have the physical front - he is okay there, then you have the match fitness which is 80 per cent."

 

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