Wenger Wants Jack Wilshere's Concentration on Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger has pleaded with England to let Jack Wilshere focus on his fitness and on Arsenal rather than inviting him for international duty.

Wilshere is drawing closer to first team action after a 14-month absence from football as a result of knee and ankle injuries. England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce has mentioned the possibility of taking Wilshere to next summer’s European Championships in Israel but Wenger isn't in support of that as he thinks the youngster should be left to concentrate on his club activities.

“Let's wait until Jack comes back. He has not played in the first team for 14 months,” said Wenger. “Do you know what that is like, 14 months out of competition? He works very hard. He is doing well but let's not go too far.

“I never believe that a player, once he has gone up to the top team, plays well with the Under 21s,” Wenger added. “It does not exist - I have not got one example.

“That’s why I believe England has to make a decision - is Jack in the first team and not in the Under-21s?”

Wenger has set Jack's possible return date as 30th of October in the Capital One clash against Reading but insists care must be taken.

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“There are two aspects [to the recovery],” Wenger said. “One is the apprehension to go into challenges when you have too many injuries. On that front we are at 100 per cent. We even have to calm him down. He goes for every challenge and has no apprehension.

“Then you have the physical front - he is OK there. Then you have the match fitness - that is 80 per cent. He needs one more game, maybe Monday night with the reserves [against Everton], I don’t know. Then he should be back.”