Wenger plays down fears over new Wilshere ankle injury

26-Nov-2012 2:50:00 PM

The Arsenal manager has confirmed that the 20-year-old has minor inflammation of the area but says the problem is "nothing" after he was rested for the draw against Aston Villa

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that midfielder Jack Wilshere has a minor ankle injury but insists the problem is "nothing" and will heal with rest.

Wilshere has successfully returned to action with the Gunners after nearly 18 months on the sidelines but was an unused substitute in the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

Wenger resisted fans' calls for the 20-year-old's introduction at Villa Park in order to give him the break that will help the inflammation in his ankle heal.

"First, it's a relief that he's had no setback [since returning from injury]," Wenger told reporters. "He had a little bit of inflammation of scar tissue [in the ankle] but it's nothing. It's very minor.

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"The rest will help him get rid of it. Apart from that, he has done very well.

"He has not played for 17 months. People forget what that means. Seventeen months in a career is massive. But I'm very happy with the way he is progressing."

Arsenal sit in sixth place in the Premier League following the stalemate against Paul Lambert's side, and trail league leaders Manchester United by 10 points.

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