Wilshere will return a better player, says Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that Jack Wilshere’s young age will help make him a better player when he returns from injury.

The 20-year-old has spent more than a year out with ankle and knee injuries but, after making a number of appearances for Arsenal’s Under-21 side, the influential midfielder looks set to play a part in the senior squad’s fixture with QPR on Saturday.

And when questioned as to whether it would be possible for Wilshere to make a full recovery Wenger responded positively, even claiming that it would help improve the youngster’s game.

“It is not possible, it is certain. He will be a better player,” he said.

“If you have this kind of injury at the age of 20 you will take off again and move forward normally. At his age it is no problem.”

The Frenchman also moved to reassure fans that the England international is showing no fear of putting in strong challenges in training.

“We even have to calm him down,” he said.

“He goes for every challenge and has no apprehension. If you protect the ball and somebody tackles you from behind and kills your knee, when you come back it will be difficult to protect the ball in the same position.

“Jack has none of that. He has not been injured in a specific tackle.”

Arsenal’s midfield has been transformed this season, with the departure of Alex Song to Barcelona and the arrival of Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla.

However, Wenger says that he has no fears over how Wilshere will fit into the new set-up.

“Good players like to play with each other,” he said.

“Cazorla came here and, straight away, after 10 minutes training everybody understood he is a great player. So the easiest way to find good combinations is to play together.”