Arteta - Wilshere needs to trust himself

Mikel Arteta insists that Jack Wilshere will have an “amazing career” once he returns to full fitness.

It was announced on Tuesday that the England international will undergo surgery to his left fibula and is expected to be out for around three months.

Arteta empathises with Wilshere, and says it is up to the whole Arsenal squad to give him a lift at this challenging time.

“Jack unfortunately has had a lot of setbacks and a lot of difficult moments through his career but he’s shown a lot of character and enthusiasm to get back,” the captain said.

“I’m sure it’s a very disappointing time but he needs to use this time to prove that he can get back. He has an enormous talent, he has support from every department at the club, from the players because we feel sorry for him and we know that we cannot waste his talent.

“He’s got an amazing career in front of him and I think we are responsible for putting that into his head every day and not allow him to fall down. At some stage, I think that’s where the danger is - that he doesn’t believe himself or his body. He needs to trust himself.”

Arsene Wenger is also convinced that Wilshere will return and fuflil his vast potential over the coming years.

“Like every player he wants to play football and he’s disappointed,” the manager said. “He has shown in the past that he can come back and I think he is determined to do it quickly and come back as quickly as possible.

“We’re at the start of the season, in mid-September, so he should be back in three months. There’s still a long way to play afterwards.

“This kind of injury is not one that can damage your career. It’s just a bone that didn’t heal well and where you need to put a little clip in. That’s nothing major, it’s not a career-threatening injury.

“When you’re injured and you come back, you always go through a vulnerable period where you need your body to gain strength and gain competition. I think he’s young enough to get over that and I hope his body will stabilise. I’m confident he will and that he can make the career his talent deserves.”