Wilshere boost for Arsenal

Arsenal’s chances of making a good start to the new season have been handed a boost after Jack Wilshere confirmed his ankle injury is not serious.

Jack Wilshere (left) established himself in the Arsenal first team last season.

The teenager could miss England’s friendly with the Netherlands on 10th August after picking up the injury seven minutes into the Gunners’ draw with New York Red Bulls in the Emirates Cup on Sunday.

However, Arsene Wenger has confirmed Wilshere did not suffer a torn ligament and the midfielder tweeted on Tuesday evening: “Ankle scan just showed some inflammation. Hopefully will settle down in a few days.”

Wenger has even hinted that Wilshere could feature in his side’s final pre-season friendly at Benfica on Saturday.

“If he’s out next week, he will not play in Benfica, so he will certainly not play for England,” he said.

“They told me that next week he might be out. [But] he’s a quick healer usually, and a tough boy, so I hope he’ll be quicker than the medical prediction.”

Don’t forget, all Premier League matches are covered by the bet365 100% Euro Soccer Bonus, where you could earn a bonus of up to 100% on your returns on pre-match accumulator bets.

He’s a quick healer usually, and a tough boy, so I hope he’ll be quicker than the medical prediction.

Arsene Wenger

England manager Fabio Capello is already without Wilshere’s fellow midfielders Steven Gerrard and Theo Walcott for the Wembley friendly while the odds on who will succeed the Italian have Harry Redknapp at 8/11.

Meanwhile, the Gunners can be backed at 15/2 to win this season’s Premier League title and at 16/1 to win their opening fixture of the season against Newcastle United on 13th August 3-0. A repeat of last season’s amazing 4-4 draw in this St James’ Park fixture is available at 200/1.

View all Soccer betting