Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere set to play first game in 14 months

Jack Wilshere will play his first game for over 14 months on Monday when he turns out for the Arsenal under-21s at West Bromwich, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The England midfielder has been sidelined for over a year with ankle and knee problems but returned to full training with the Gunners last week.

Wenger admitted the news is “another important step” for the 20-year-old as he continues along the road to full fitness but insisted Arsenal fans must be patient with the midfielder.

“He will play on Monday [at West Brom], he will play his first game with the under-21s, maybe an hour or something like that,” Wenger told a news conference on Thursday.

“It’s another important step but he has not played for 14 months so we have to calm your [the media’s] impatience a little bit.

“It is fantastic for him. When you are at that age and are out for such a long time, it is absolutely massive to take [for] him and [Emmanuel] Frimpong.

“Frimpong had two knee injuries, Jack had two setbacks. It is massive for them to come back and for us as well.”

Wenger’s Arsenal host Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime looking to close the game on Roberto Di Matteo’s early pace-setters.