EPL: Wenger regrets Jack Wilshere loan deal

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has conceded that the current injury crisis at the club has left him regretting the decision to let Jack Wilshere to leave the Emirates last summer, according to reports in the Star.

The midfielder joined Bournemouth on a season-long loan deal and is currently in the midst of his best season to date, having already made 15 appearances for Eddie Howe’s side, who recently drew 3-3 with the Gunners in a thrilling encounter at Dean Court.

That very match saw Arsenal’s Francis Coquelin limp off with an injury and the Frenchman is expected to miss at least four weeks of action, joining fellow midfielders Santi Cazorla (injury) and Mohamed Elneny (international duty) who are both unavailable for selection.

With Wenger now left with only two central midfielder for the foreseeable future, he has admitted that he is in desperate need of Wilshere’s services.

When asked whether he regretted the decision to allow the 24-year-old to go out on loan, the Frenchman replied: “Yes, I could use him now.

“But if he had not played until now, he would not be ready to play now. What looks unfair at some moments in the season is that you know at some stage you could need the player.”

Arsenal now prepare to face Preston North End in the FA cup third round on Saturday evening, where both Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey are expected to start. The pair will now be heavily relied upon in the coming weeks and yet whilst the Gunners appear to be in short supply of midfielders, Wenger has hinted there is unlikely to be any new acquisitions during the current transfer window.

He recently said (as quoted by the Evening Standard): There is very little hope to find players of that quality in the January transfer market. So the best way to deal with that is to get our injured players back.”