Wenger: Wilshere feeling the pain

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted England midfielder Jack Wilshere is “down” and hinted that he is losing his race against time to return for the European Championships in June.

Wilshere, 20, has spent the entire season on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his injured ankle last September.

The midfielder has yet to train with the first team and is still confined to training by himself in the gym.

Arsenal have five games left this season but Wenger remains cautious over whether Wilshere will play any part.

Wenger said: “I will not take any risks with him. He is making slow progress so we have to monitor the situation.

“We are now in mid-April, the Euros start in the middle of June. Jack has not played for the whole season and anyone who knows what is required at the top level, in terms of intensity, it’s getting short now.”

When asked if Wilshere’s spirits were high, Wenger added: “How can you be at 19 years of age when you’re only dream is to play football? He’s down.

“Jack is mentally strong. But what is holding him back is that he can’t play football, so he can’t be happy.”

Meanwhile, Wenger wants referees to be allowed to stop the game to consult video technology to make decisions in the Premier League.

Wenger’s call comes after a week of high-profile mistakes by match officials which saw two offside goals awarded to Chelsea against Wigan last Saturday and Manchester United deprived of a clear penalty for handball against Wigan on Wednesday.

Wenger said: “Last weekend was a very, very bad weekend. The football authorities on a global scale have to sit together and see how we can improve.

“It is time for us to help referees. To all be united and have a less conservative approach and finally opt for video.”

Arsenal play Wigan on Monday and full-back Kieran Gibbs and midfielder Gervinho could be available after recovering from groin and ankle injuries respectively. Laurent Koscielny is suspended.

Striker Hugo Rodallega is Wigan’s only worry ahead of the clash, having been out since March 11 due to a knee problem. “He is not at 100% yet and he is the only one where there is a question mark about,” said manager Roberto Martinez. Everyone else is fully fit and the squad is as strong as ever.”