Wilshere out for five months. Who’s to blame?

ARSENAL and England are reeling from the news that young midfielder Jack Wilshere is not likely to play before February. The 19-year-old midfielder who is seen as the future for both his club and country has undergone ankle surgery that will keep him sidelined for "four to five months", according to a club statement.
 
Wilshere had previously been expected to be back in action well before Christmas and this latest setback will raise suspicions that his injury has been mishandled. After suffering an ankle knock in an England qualifier in June, Wilshere was rushed back for Arsenal's pre-season - but broke down in a friendly against New York Red Bulls in July.
 
The midfielder's struggle has also provoked rumours of a club v country split. Before the summer Arsene Wenger asked Fabio Capello not to take risks with his star man and urged under-21 boss Stuart Pearce not to pick him for the U-21 European Championships. The England boss later questioned Arsenal's decision not to treat Wilshere immediately after his injury.        
 
As far as England are concerned, Wilshere's lay-off could mean a stay of execution for fading stalwarts like Frank Lampard, left on the bench for Chelsea's match at the weekend. For Arsenal, who have suffered a plague of injuries to key men and lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri during a traumatic summer, the light at the end of the tunnel keeps getting further away. ·