Arsenal's Wenger sounds Jack Wilshere injury klaxon after just two matches

26 Aug 2013 22:30

Gunners' boss doing his best to protect England midfielder and hopes Hodgson does the same PLUS Fenerbahce preview

Handle with care: Wenger admits he'll take no risks with Wilshere

Clive Mason

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has urged Roy Hodgson to handle Jack Wilshere with special care.
England manager Hodgson will include Wilshere on Tuesday when he names his squad for next month's crunch World Cup qualifiers at home to Moldova and away in Ukraine.
Wilshere, 21, will also return to Arsenal's starting line-up against Fenerbahce in the second leg of their Champions League qualification playoff, after being rested in the weekend win at Fulham because Wenger admits the season is ALREADY taking its toll.
The Gunners' manager insists he is going to be extra cautious with Wilshere - who has had three operations after a career-threatening ankle injury kept him out for 17 months - and fully expects England to do the same.
Wenger said: "He's not played 90 minutes since February [until doing so this week against both Villa and Fenerbahce], so the numbers suggested he needed a breather (at Fulham). We have good communication between him and the medical department, and we will give him a breather when it's needed.
"I'm a bit cautious, because he's had a few operations. I don't want to make a mistake on the medical front and overuse him, because the ankle is the most important part of any football player.
"People think it's the knee. It's not, it's the ankle. All the movements come from the ankle. He's had surgery three times, so we have to be cautious.
"I always take medical advice. If the ankle is not inflamed, if he has no pain, then we would not rest the player. If they say there is a little inflammation, we would say, 'Okay, let's not.' I do that with medical advice."
Wilshere started Saturday's match on the bench, but came on for the final 20 minutes.
Wenger continued: "I would be a bit more cautious (with him), yes. Until we feel he is completely free from any risk, of course.
"If he gets through well on Tuesday he will play on Sunday [in the north London derby against Tottenham]. Between Tuesday and Sunday there are five days.
"We have a good connection with the (England) medical department. They know him well. Who are England's next two games? That's the key. So don't play him against Moldova!"
While Wenger's remark about resting him against Moldova was uttered with a big smile on his face, you can bet he would appreciate Hodgson sparing him for the harder trip to Ukraine on Tuesday, September 10.
Hodgson knows that qualifier in Kiev is the key to qualification as victory will put England firmly on the road to the World Cup, so all of the big guns will want to play.
Meanwhile, Wenger insists he will not allow Arsenal to ease up against Fenerbahce, despite winning the away leg 3-0 and a place in the group phase being all but assured.
While there may be the odd change from the team that won at Craven Cottage, with Nacho Monreal likely to play at left-back and a possible breather for Tomas Rosicky, the Gunners are determined to finish the job.
Wenger is immensely proud of his record of qualifying for the Champions League knock-out stages and this would be 16 years in a row.
Playing in Europe's elite competition is also vital in attracting big name signings.
"It'll be stability in the team. Maybe one or two who are a bit injured, but 95 per cent of the team who played at Fulham will play," added Wenger.
"It shows consistency and, therefore, I'm already focused today to go into the game with full commitment. Top level sport is just about consistency.
"It (not resting players) shows how important it is to us. It's an important time for us. We want to be in the group stage the next day, and that demands attitude and commitment and desire to play the game with full power, like we love to do.
"The first leg was not as comfortable as people saw on television. It was highly committed. I have big experience in the Champions League and, to knock someone out, you need attitude and commitment.
"That's what is at stake for us."
With captain Thomas Vermaelen now just two weeks away from resuming full training and Bacary Sagna showing that he can switch from right-back to centre-back when needed, Wenger has virtually ruled out signing a new defender in the final week of the summer window.

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Fenerbache v Arsenal

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 Wenger added: "We have Sagna, an outstanding centre-back and right -back, so he covers two positions. We have Vermaelen who comes back, on the left we have two full-backs, so maybe if we find an experienced player at the back we are not against it but it's not easy."
On Tuesday's game, he said: "We have a decent advantage but we want to get over the line, so it's just about us winning the game. I feel we had two good games recently, at Fenerbahce and against Fulham, and we just want to continue that run.
"We go into the game to win it, without thinking about the result of the first game."

Arsenal vs Fenerbahce: Probable teams

Arsenal Szczesny; Jenkinson, Sagna, Mertesacker, Monreal; Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla; Walcott, Podolski, Giroud.
Fenerbahce Demirel; Irtegun, Korkmaz, Bruno Alves, Ali Kaldirim; Kuyt, Meireles, Cristian, Potuk; Sow, Emenike.

Arsenal vs Fenerbahce: Three to watch

Emmanuel Emenike The Nigerian striker only came on as a substitute in the first leg. Is likely to get his chance from the start as Fenerbahce go for goals.
Dirk Kuyt The ex-Liverpool forward was massively disappointing in the first leg and may have a point to prove. Likely to start wide right.
Bruno Alves Vastly experienced Portuguese centre half who will be hoping to do better in the return leg. Strong and determined, he was left hurt by the first leg surrender.

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