Wenger reveals Wilshere return date

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger spoke at a press conference on Wednesday morning and revealed when midfielder Jack Wilshere would be expected to make his return to first-team action.

The 24-year-old played his third game in 11 days for the under-21s on Monday in the 2-1 loss to West Brom’s under-21s and looked back to his sharpest, controlling the midfield and scoring Arsenal’s only goal of the game.

The Gunners face West Bromwich Albion on Thursday evening at the Emirates Stadium and while the boss has an almost fully fit squad to choose from, the Frenchman confirmed, as reported by the Mail Online, that Wilshere would not be making his return during the week.

“He’s finally got 90 minutes.

“There’s been no set-back and the positives are that in every game he was sharper. He has a good basis and overall the progression should be normal.

“He’s available for selection, I don’t think tomorrow (against West Brom), but for the next game. It’s up to me whether I select him or not.”

Arsenal look set to regain their third place spot in the league ahead of Manchester City should they beat Tony Pulis’s side, with the Citizens dropping points against Newcastle United on Tuesday evening, with Sergio Aguero’s 100th Premier League strike later being cancelled out by Vurnon Anita.