Zimpapers Logo

LONDON. — Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Jack Wilshere was absent from Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Chivas on Sunday night after the midfielder sustained a knee injury. The 24-year-old suffered an injury-plagued season last term and waited until April to make his first appearance for the club.The midfielder made it into Roy Hodgson’s England squad for Euro 2016 and featured in the Gunners’ friendly last week with the MLS All-Stars. Wenger’s confirmed that Wilshere missed the side’s friendly with Chivas last night because of a patella problem but he’s hopeful that the 24-year-old can make a swift return.

“It’s a slight patella problem but I think he should be with us on tour on Thursday,” said Wenger.

“I hope he will be.”

Arsenal face Viking FK in Stavanger, Norway on Friday before Manchester City in Gothenburg, Sweden.

While Wenger is hopeful of Wilshere being able to take part, he was able to confirm Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez would be with the party which travels to Scandinavia later this week.

“Not all of (the international players will be back),” he told Arsenal Player.

“But Ramsey will be involved, Sanchez will be involved.

“The latest players coming back will not be involved, that’s Ozil, Giroud and Koscielny, they are the last ones and I don’t think they will be involved on the tour on Thursday, but all the others will.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been offered a potentially significant boost in their pursuit of Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette after the French club’s head coach admitted that a big offer could yet prompt a sale.

It marks a notable shift from the previous hard-line stance that Lyon have taken on the player’s future up to now, suggesting that the Gunners can definitely have Lacazette if they are prepared to meet an asking price.

“He can leave if Lyon want him to,” Bruno Genesio is quoted as saying by Sky Sports. — Metro.