Some media sources are saying that the Arsenal and England star Jack Wilshere is out of the Gunners squad that will take on Monaco in the first of two legs that we are all hoping will see the club progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after four years of falling at the first knockout hurdle.
But that is not what the manager said at all in his pre-match press conference reported by Arsenal.com. The Frenchman was asked why the midfielder did not train and whether he would feature against the French Ligue 1 club at the Emirates stadium tomorrow.
Wenger replied, “The only uncertainty I have at the moment is Jack Wilshere but everybody else is available. He was rested [at training], because he trained hard until now. No, it’s not a setback but I don’t think [he’ll play against Monaco].”
The words ‘uncertainty’ and ‘I don’t think’ are far from definite, so unless the boss is hiding something and Wilshere really has suffered a setback in his attempt to recover from his latest ankle injury, then he really was rested after training hard up to this point. But why would that be?
Perhaps it is Wenger and the medical staff being extra cautious not to push him too hard and aggravate the problem, or it could conceivably because Wenger is thinking of having him available and fresh for the Monaco clash, just in case.
I would not be surprised to see Wilshere start on the bench and be ready to come on if Arsenal find ourselves needing a bit of inspiration or a goal late on. With no Arteta, Chamberlain or Ramsey available and Rosicky likely to start, Jack might be our only option.
If he isn’t on the bench tomorrow or at the weekend, then there must be a problem with an injury or between player and manager. What do you think Gooners?