Ankle injury puts Wilshere out for up to three months

Already without a league win this season, Arsenal's fortunes have taken another knock with the news that Jack Wilshere will be out for several more weeks. Writing on Twitter at the weekend, the England midfielder said: "I will be out for around 2-3 months! I am working hard in the gym to stay fit and I am gutted but I will be back stronger."

The 19-year-old had been troubled by his right ankle for much of last season, and on the orders of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger he withdrew from the England Under-21 squad's European Championships squad.  A summer's rest did Wilshere no good, however, and he damaged the ankle playing for Arsenal against the New York Red Bulls in July's Emirates Cup

Talking on Sunday to former Arsenal striker turned radio presenter Ian Wright, Wilshere confessed the injury couldn't have come at a worse time for him. "It's massively frustrating," said Wilshere on Absolute Radio. "Having had a successful season last year, it's even more frustrating. This year I really felt I could push on, but I've had a bit of a setback."

Wishere's ankle injury is a big blow to Wenger. Next week Arsenal open their Champions League campaign against Borussia Dortmund and they are also hoping to get their league season back on track after two defeats and one draw from their opening three matches.  

Wilshere believes the signings made last week by Wenger will considerably enhance the squad, particularly the arrival of Mikel Arteta from Everton. "At the Emirates [last season] he was one of the best players on the pitch," Wilshere said. "He's one of the best in the Premier League that I've played against and a good addition to the squad."

And Wilshere made it clear he was pleased Wenger had finally dispensed with his obsession with youth and signed some experienced pros such as Arteta, German defender Per Mertesacker and 31-year-old midfielder Yossi Benayoun. "They're older players and that is what we needed," he said. "When Cesc [Fabregas] was coming through there was Vieira, so hopefully now we can really push on."

Meanwhile Fabregas, who left Arsenal in the summer for Barcelona, continues to shine for his new club, prompting vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu to taunt the Gunners over his sale. Arsenal had demanded £50m for the 24-year-old Spaniard but eventually settled for £35m, and Bartomeu believes that was a good bit of business for Barca.

"The transfer of Cesc was a very good deal for us," he said. "His real price was what Arsenal initially asked - at least 60m euros [but] the fact that we announced in advance that we would only spend 45m euros this summer worked to our advantage. Clubs were already aware of our position."

Fabregas announced himself to Camp Nou with a cracking goal in the European Super Cup win over Porto and then scored on his Ligue 1 debut against Villarreal. And to think he could have been preparing to play Swansea City this Saturday...
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