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Wenger - Why I'll be cautious with Jack

Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere

Arsene Wenger still intends to exercise caution over Jack Wilshere's playing time.

The England international was sidelined throughout the 2011/12 campaign with ankle and knee trouble but returned to make 33 appearances last season.

Wilshere has featured in every Arsenal game this term but he was left on the bench for the first 70 minutes of Saturday's 3-1 win at Fulham after starting against Aston Villa and Fenerbahce.

"I take always medical advice. If the ankle is not inflamed, if he has no pain, then we would not rest the player. If they say there is a little inflamed ankle, we would say 'OK, let's not [play him]. I do that with medical advice"

Wenger will recall Wilshere for the second leg of Arsenal's Champions League qualifier but he will seek advice on his involvement for the foreseeable future.

"He was a bit tired [before the Fulham game] but it was more about giving him a rest," explained Wenger. "He could have played but it made sense to give him a breather because we're playing every three days at the moment. He is not 100 per cent yet, but he is 90 per cent.

"I'm a bit cautious because he's had a few operations. I don't want to make a mistake on the medical front and overuse him because the ankle is the most important part of any football player.

"I take always medical advice. If the ankle is not inflamed, if he has no pain, then we would not rest the player. If they say there is a little inflamed ankle, we would say 'OK, let's not [play him]. I do that with medical advice.

"I would be a bit more cautious with Jack [than with others]. Until we feel he is completely free from any risk, of course."

A fully-fit Wilshere could be a major asset to England at next summer's World Cup - should the Three Lions qualify. Wenger is confident that the national side will use his star midfielder sensibly.

"It's World Cup year but first England have to qualify and we now go into a really important period for England," said the Arsenal boss. "It's an important year for every single player because they all want to go to the World Cup.

"If you have a good season you have a good chance of going to the World Cup. So let's most importantly have a good season [with Arsenal]. But we have a good connection with the [England] medical department. They know Jack well."

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