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Jack Wilshere has 'big' ankle problem, says Arsene Wenger

Jack Wilshere limped out of Saturday's defeat by Manchester United © Getty Images

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Jack Wilshere has "a big ankle strain" and admits he cannot put a timescale on when the midfielder will be fit to play again.

Wilshere limped out of last Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium and the 22-year-old's long history of ankle problems was a cause of concern for Wenger on Tuesday as he answered questions over the club's worst start to a season in 32 years.

"He has a big ankle sprain," confirmed Wenger. "I don't want to talk about it because I'm not a specialist medically. The first news is we are told he will be out for the next few games. For how long, he will need to see a specialist."

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Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who collided with Kieran Gibbs during Arsenal's defeat by Manchester United, and winger Theo Walcott, who has a groin injury, will not be risked for Wednesday's Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium either.

However, there was better news on Laurent Koscielny, who is set to return after more than a month out with an Achilles problem.

"He is in the squad for tomorrow," said Wenger of his French centre-back, who trained with his team-mates on Tuesday. "It is very good news because he has been out for while now and defensively we are short in numbers. It is good to have his quality back."

Wenger suggested the challenge his side will face a tough challenge from Group D pace setters Dortmund, despite a surprisingly poor start to the season in Germany for Jurgen Klopp's side.

"It is a quality team, with quality players," he added. "They are quick going forward, defend all together. Individually, many of their players are international players for Germany, some for Poland. They are a very strong side.

"They had many injuries at the start of the season and after, because they are a big club and they get bad results, the questions come very quickly. Why do you lose? Then the confidence drops a little bit, but I don't worry too much for them in the championship [Bundesliga].

"They have a rival like Bayern that it is difficult to reach when you are many points behind. I don't think they will stay where they are at the moment."

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