Wilshere injury not Arsenal’s fault, insists Wenger

ARSENE WENGER is adamant Arsenal’s medical staff are not to blame for Jack Wilshere’s extended absence and insists he has the squad to cope without the England midfielder for up to five months.

The 19-year-old has not played a competitive match for the Gunners this season and has undergone ankle surgery, which is expected to rule him out of contention until late February.

Arsenal are without half-a-dozen first-team regulars for tonight’s Group F clash, including Theo Walcott, Gervinho and centre-back Laurent Koscielny, who have all picked up minor niggles after Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League win over Bolton.