Arsene Wenger says Jack Wilshere has gone to play for
England with Arsenal's blessing and has been assured by Roy Hodgson that
everything possible will be done to protect his fitness.
The midfielder spent more than a year on the sidelines
with knee and ankle problems between 2011 and 2012 and underwent a minor
operation earlier this summer.
He has been nursed through Arsenal's pre-season campaign
and only played the first half of Saturday's 3-1 friendly victory over
Manchester City.
Wenger is happy for Wilshere to feature for England
against Scotland on Wednesday but is then looking ahead to the start of the
season and crucial Premier League and UEFA Champions League games.
"I decided before the game to only play Jack for 45
minutes because I want to take it step by step," Wenger said, quoted in
the Daily Mirror.
"Jack will go away with England with our blessing.
But then we have some big occasions in front of us, with Aston Villa and also
the Champions League."
Arsene Wenger on Jack Wilshere
"Now he goes away with the national team and, when
England play Scotland, it is always competitive.
"Jack will go away with England with our blessing.
But then we have some big occasions in front of us, with Aston Villa and also
the Champions League."
Hodgson is happy with Wilshere's fitness but recognises
that he will have to take particular care with a number of the players in his
squad and not play them for a full game.
"I'm happy that he's fit and with us," said the
England manager.
"We know he's not going to play for 90 minutes.
Arsene knows we're as anxious to protect the health and fitness of the player
as he is.
"I don't want to damage players and there are quite
a few of them who haven't really played a lot football in the pre-season or are
maybe coming back from injury.
"It is certainly incumbent upon me to take those
things into consideration but the feedback from all the managers has been good.
They understand the importance of the autumn for all their players, not just
the England ones."
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