Mesut Ozil injury: Jack Wilshere admits Arsenal squad are 'devastated' at news of Ozil's knee injury

Wilshere admits Ozil's absence will come as a blow but does suggest it will hand more opportunities to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and a fit-again Theo Walcott

Mesut Ozil (Getty Images)

Jack Wilshere has revealed that the Arsenal squad are “devastated” that Mesut Özil has been ruled out for up to three months with a knee injury, but believes they have enough quality to cope without the World Cup winner despite their growing injury concerns.

Özil reported for international duty with Germany last week but was immediately reported to have suffered a knee injury, with the DFB claiming he will be out of action for around 12 weeks. Arsenal have said that they won’t give a timescale on his absence until they have assessed the injury, but it looks as though Özil will not play again until 2015.

Wilshere admits it is a hammer blow for the Gunners after seeing what Özil can do when played in the No 10 role behind striker Danny Welbeck. Manager Arsene Wenger has shown a tendency to play him out wide where he has been less effective, but Wilshere says you just have to cope with him having suffered a number of injuries himself.

“We are devastated for Mesut because he can play in that number 10, we have seen what he can do at number 10,” said Wilshere.

“It's tough to take but it is part and parcel of football. I have had my fair few injuries. It is not a curse, it happens and you just have to deal with it.

“It will be hard for him [Ozil] because he likes football, he has never really had an injury before. He had a slight one last season.

“I am not even sure how long it is, I've not been back to the club. It will be difficult for him. But he is naturally quite a fit lad so he will be alright.”

There was some good news on Monday for Arsenal as both Theo Walcott and Serge Gnabry returned to training after long spells out injured, especially for the England international who has not played since the start of January after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Wilshere claimed the Arsenal squad are 'devastated' after Ozil suffered a knee injury (Getty Images)

Wilshere believes that Özil’s absence will provide more opportunities for the like of Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and feels that it will be the wider positions that will change rather than who will play through the middle.

“Özil was playing on the left a bit so it probably won't change much in the centre,” Wilshere added.

“Chambo [Oxlade-Chamberlain] will get a chance. Theo is coming back as well. Now it might give Theo or Chambo a chance.”