Jack Wilshere: Arsene Wenger hopeful Arsenal midfielder will overcome long-term injuries

Jack Wilshere is set to return next month after fracturing his fibula in August

Jack Wilshere is set to return after fracturing his fibula (2015 Getty Images)

Arsène Wenger insisted that he remains “optimistic” about Jack Wilshere’s future, despite the fact that his Arsenal midfielder will not make a reappearance until next month.

Wilshere has not played all season after suffering a hairline fibula fracture in August, the day before the Community Shield. His career has been devastated by injuries, particularly to his ankles, but Wenger was confident about the mental resilience of the midfielder, who turns 24 today.

“I am optimistic,” said the Arsenal manager. “It is true that if you look at the number of games he has played in recent years it is not many. I hope that at some stage it will stop because he is young. And I hope I am right.”

Having emerged from the Arsenal academy and played for England as a teenager, Wilshere has always been high-profile, as have his injuries.

“He is a special case because he is a special talent, he comes out of the club, and he is an England international,” Wenger said. “I hope his injuries will stop at some stage.

“When you love football, wake up in the morning and you can’t practise, then that’s terrible,” Wenger added. “But he is strong and he is dealing with that. He started at 17 and played every single game and suddenly it stopped.”

Mohamed Elneny has passed his medical before a proposed £7.3m move to Arsenal from Basel. The 23-year-old Egypt midfielder has agreed personal terms but is awaiting a work permit before the transfer is completed.