• Premier League

Wilshere injury gives Wenger a 'bad surprise'

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Arsene Wenger has confirmed Jack Wilshere will not be fit for the start of Arsenal's Premier League title challenge, but Robin van Persie is expected to come through a fitness test on Friday afternoon.

Wilshere had to be replaced in the England squad for the cancelled friendly with Netherlands after he picked up an ankle injury during pre-season. However, Wenger had been hopeful of having his young midfield creator back for Saturday's trip to Newcastle.

Cesc Fabregas will definitely not travel with the squad to St James' Park, amidst reports that a transfer to Barcelona is close. Samir Nasri is also a doubt due to "sickness" according to Wenger, although reports persist that he will join Manchester City.

With those two missing, Wilshere is likely to become the pivot on which Arsenal base their football this season, but he will not be available for selection at Newcastle.

"We have Wilshere injured, hopefully short-term, and [Abou] Diaby is not back before the end of August, beginning of September," Wenger confirmed. "Jack Wilshere has been put in a boot. He has an inflamed ankle and it is difficult to set any specific date on his return, but we hope he will be back soon.

"We already knew that Diaby would not start the season, but he is improving steadily," Wenger added on the official Arsenal website. "We did not know that Wilshere would not start the season, that is our only bad surprise.

"But it is not a threatening injury, it is an inflamed ankle and we hope he will be back with us soon. Overall, this has been the best pre-season medically for a long time."

Elaborating on the fitness of other Arsenal doubts, Wenger revealed Theo Walcott, Van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen would all feature in the North East.

"Everybody else should be available and more-or-less match fit, not injured," Wenger said. "Van Persie and [Kieran] Gibbs should be available. They have tests today, especially with Van Persie, who still has a problem with his knee. We hope he can get through that.

"Walcott is back in the squad, Vermaelen as well."

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