Wilshere will not be rested yet, insists Wenger

Jan 16, 2013 9:10:00 AM

The Gunners boss is adamant that his talismanic midfielder is improving with every game, and will not be offered a break during their forthcoming run of fixtures

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists midfielder Jack Wilshere is in no need of a rest just yet, ahead of his side’s FA Cup third round replay against Swansea on Wednesday evening.

Wilshere, who until recently had been sidelined for 15 months with a series of injuries, has been involved in 16 of his side’s 19 matches since his recovery at the end of October.


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This has lead to much speculation that the England international may be due a rest, but his manager claims that the 21-year-old’s rate of improvement means this is unlikely to happen in the coming fixtures.

"At the moment I don't think he is overloaded because he just came back very recently, and you get the feeling he gets stronger,” the Frenchman told reporters.

“I don't think at the moment I will rest him immediately, but it will happen.

"Maybe not in this period, but at some stage I will do it. One month ago you could see he would have to fight with his body to get past people. Against Manchester City he looked comfortable to do that.

"The expectation level is so high individually on players that they are not in a normal development, sometimes there is so much focus on them that I feel it is a handicap."

Turning his thoughts towards Wednesday’s clash, Wenger admits his side will need to cope with their status as favourites far better than they did in the original tie, a 2-2 draw at the Liberty Stadium.

"We have to deal with that pressure a little bit better,” he added. “And not transform that desire into tension."

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