• Premier League

Arsenal 'devastated' by Ozil injury - Wilshere

Jack Wilshere says the Arsenal players are "devastated" by Mesut Ozil's setback - but believes there is no curse on the club with an unenviable injury record.

Ozil is expected to be out until the new year with a knee problem, as are Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud.

Defender Laurent Koscielny returned to London from France's Euro 2016 qualifiers last week with an ongoing Achilles problem, before deadline day signing Danny Welbeck limped out of England's win over Estonia.

Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta, Yaya Sanogo, Abou Diaby and Serge Gnabry are also out for various reasons, while Theo Walcott returned to full training on Monday after nine months out.

"We are devastated for Mesut because he can play in that No.10 and we have seen what he can do at No.10," Wilshere told the Daily Mirror.

"It will be hard for him because he likes football, he has never really had an injury before. He had a slight one last season.

"I am not even sure how long it is, I've not been back to the club. It will be difficult for him. But he is naturally quite a fit lad so he will be alright.

But Wilshere, while admitting it's "tough", said that it is "part and parcel of football". He added: "I have had my fair few injuries. It is not a curse it happens and you just have to deal with it."

Looking for the positives in Ozil's setback, Wilshere is hoping it results in more chances for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the returning Walcott to show what they can do.

"Ozil was playing on the left a bit so it probably won't change much in the centre. Chambo will get a chance. Theo is coming back as well. Now it might give Theo or Chambo a chance."

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