Wenger: Wilshere back by Christmas

The great shame of this latest problem is that Wilshere had finished last season strongly after a separate ankle injury and then looked back to his old sharpness during pre-season.

Jack Wilshere is facing another three months out of action after Arsenal announced he is to undergo surgery on a fracture to his left fibula.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will require surgery on a hairline fracture and will be out for three months.

Such is the extent of Arsenal’s injury jinx that Arsene Wenger now apparently regards surgery as no more than a “little setback” for a player.

And since then, Arsenal never got back to their peak and failed to win the not only Europe’s biggest club prize, but also the Premier League.

“This is not the kind of injury that can damage your career”.

The news will come as a blow to both the player – who has battled through a string of fitness issues in recent seasons – and the English football club.

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong feels sympathy for his old teammate Jack Wilshere.

“He is disappointed but he has shown in the past he can deal with that”.

However, the club has said he needs to have a plate inserted in his leg.

He said: “It is just part of his bone that has not healed”.

“At some stage, I think that’s where the danger is – that he doesn’t believe himself or his body”.

“We have to play at our best to beat them”, he added.

“This drive [to win the competition] is huge”, Wenger added.

“Cech is keeping clean sheets which is fantastic, Theo Walcott is nicking a goal and Olivier Giroud is scoring off the bench so I’m feeling quite happy about the situation right now”. “You are quickly out in the Champions League if you do not start well”.