Liverpool v Arsenal: Jack Wilshere could return from injury and make a 'big statement' at Anfield, says Arsene Wenger

Gunners' midfielder picked up an ankle knock in FA Cup tie last month

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere is set to return for Arsenal against Liverpool (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere has a good chance of returning from injury to make a "big statement" at Anfield on Saturday.

The 22-year-old has been out since suffering an ankle injury in the 4-0 FA Cup victory over Coventry City on 24 January, but Wenger claims that he could play some part in the Saturday lunch-time kick-off. Mikel Arteta picked up a knock in the club's 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace last Sunday, but Wenger has confirmed that he will be "all right" to play.

"We might have Wilshere back and that's basically it. [Mikel] Arteta is all right," Wenger said.

"It is important to have as many players back as possible in the squad."

Saturday's match begins a gruelling run of fixtures for the Gunners, in which they play Liverpool twice, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, and Wenger is grateful another "top" player has returned to his squad, with Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Kim Kallstrom and Abou Diaby all long-term absentees.

"In the big games it is always decided by having the complete squad available.

He added: "As many top players as possible because most of the time theses games are decided by players who come on or strong players who have a big statement in a big game."

Should Wilshere make an assist in the match, he will become the first Arsenal to make an assist in four consecutive Premier League matches since Andrei Arshavin between November and December 2010.