Arsenal take on Crystal Palace this afternoon and Arsene Wenger will be delighted to welcome back Jack Wilshere.
The England international is set to return to the squad for the trip to Selhurst Park after being out of action for three-months with an ankle injury.
Wilshere was expected to be sidelined for a longer duration and Wenger has been surprised by the speed of the midfielder’s recovery from ankle surgery in November, and the Frenchman could start him in today’s game:
‘He’s a bit ahead of schedule, he’s worked hard and he has had no big problems, so it’s good to have him back.
‘My team selection will not be influenced at all by the Champions League. The most important game is Crystal Palace because it is the next one.’
Although Wilshere will be eager to get back in the side, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil have been in great form recently, which could see the 23-year-old settle for a place on the bench.
‘I cannot tell you whether he is ready to start, and it’s always difficult to come back [into the starting XI] straight away, but it’s good he’s already back.’
So, taking into account Wilshere’s length of absence and the forms of both Cazorla and Ozil, should Wenger risk starting the Englishman?
The Frenchman has, in the past, been criticised for rushing players back into the side, including Wilshere, so perhaps placing him on the bench today would be the best decision to take. In addition, Ozil and Cazorla have both been fantastic, and Francis Coquelin has also been equally impressive in front of the back four.
Wenger should slowly ease Wilshere back into the side, but it will be difficult to see whether the tenacious midfielder will feature regularly for the Gunners from here on in.
