Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Jack Wilshere should start running again this week, as the North London club look to get their star player fit.
The England international has missed the entire campaign thus-far after sustaining an ankle injury in pre-season, and has been touted to return to action early in the new year.
Wenger gave an update on Wilshere’s rehabilitation, in a positive piece of news for Gunners’ fans.
“Wilshere is doing very well. He is one week behind Bacary Sagna so he should start to run this week,” Wenger told The Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are preparing to lose Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh to the African Cup of Nations early in 2012, but the French coach is hoping that Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Chu-Young Park can plug the gap left by the departing duo.
“It has been difficult because I have not given Park the chance to play and the intensity of the challenges – it takes you time.
“You see a player like (Laurent) Koscielny. Last year, he was still sometimes surprised by the physical demands. And this year, he dominates the physical challenge. That shows it takes time.
“In 2012 Chamberlain will play games. He is not far off.
“He is a talented boy, it’s all there – he just needs that toughness because every game for us is so tight,” he concluded.
By Gareth McKnight
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