Wilshere out for rest of year with injury in further blow to Wenger

Jack Wilshere is facing an uphill battle to play for Arsenal again this year after the club announced last night that the player will undergo surgery on his right ankle on Monday.

The 19-year-old has been wearing a protective boot since aggravating the injury in pre-season but the stress fracture has not responded to normal procedures. Arsenal said last night that Wilshere, who had initially hoped to avoid having to undergo surgery, is now expected to be out “for a period of months”.

In a statement, Arsenal said: “Scans this week have revealed that the fracture has not responded positively during this period. Throughout Jack's injury, the club has been guided by the continuous advice of several world-renowned specialists. The information attained this week has led to the conclusion that surgery is now required to gain an optimal response.

“Wilshere is now expected to be out for a period of months. Following surgery these timescales will become more specific.”

They added: "We have given Jack time to heal naturally which is important wherever possible with a young player. The latest scans show surgery is needed. Everyone at the club wishes Jack a speedy recovery."

In the aftermath of the announcement, Wilshere tweeted that he hoped to return to action “around Christmas time”. He added: “Been in a boot for a month and the bone is not responding. I will have surgery on my right ankle on Monday with the two best surgeons around.”

A key member of Fabio Capello’s England team, Wilshere will play no further part in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and will miss the November friendly against Spain – which is pencilled in providing England have qualified by then.

Wenger insisted that Wilshere be withdrawn from the Under-21s European championships in June, warning that the player was “in the red zone” when it came to his potential for injury. The problem first emerged when he played for England in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley in June.

Wilshere went on holiday after that game. When he returned he went on the club’s pre-season tour of Asia and Germany and felt the injury again during the first of two games in the Emirates Cup. In the second match on 31 July, he came off early against the New York Red Bulls and has not played since. Earlier this month, Capello questioned whether Arsenal made the right decision in allowing Wilshere to go on holiday in June rather keeping him in for immediate treatment.