Jack Wilshere’s ongoing problems with injuries have prevented him from fully realising his potential with Arsenal.

His talent is undoubtedly great, but many will start to question the impact of the 23-year-old should he make only around 20 appearances throughout an entire campaign. Wilshere has featured in only 12 matches in all competitions so far. He has not played for Arsenal since the 2-1 defeat against Manchester United back in November 2014. Arsene Wenger has now revealed that the potential return date for the 23-year-old has been set further behind due to a complication in his recovery.

This will force him to undergo an ankle surgery. Wilshere is likely to return only with a couple of months left in the season. Arsenal may already be out of the running to win major titles by then. The recent 3-1 thrashing home defeat against Monaco in the Champions League has put them on the verge of an exit from the European stage once again. They face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. This remains as the major hope for a title this season. A return of just one goal and one assist is unlikely to make Jack Wilshere a key figure for Arsenal this season.

“Jack has had surgery to take two screws off his ankle because they were irritating him but it’s a very minor procedure – he’ll be out for a few days.It was irritating his ankle so they had to take them off.It was planned to be done at the end of the season but because he had an irritation we decided to do it now.If he was back for next weekend it would be quick – but it’s days not weeks,” said Wenger ahead of the matches with Aston Villa and Tottenham.