Arsenal's Jack Wilshere suffers injury setback, out until February

Perpetually-injured Jack Wilshere is set to extend his spell on the sideline after the 23-year-old suffered a setback during preparations for his return, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Hopes were that the central midfielder would return by Christmas, though a pending return from a broken leg suffered during the preseason has been delayed until February.

"He (Wilshere) will not be back before February, that's for sure. I said February but honestly I don't know. I let him do his recovery. It's going slowly," Wenger told reporters, courtesy of the Mirror's John Cross.

This is the second time a potential return has been delayed, as the England international could also miss this summer's Euro 2016 tournament in France.

"Once he goes again, goes outside to train, once he is back again into sharp, hard work physically, you count five or six weeks, so at the moment he is not there yet."

Arsenal's well documented injury-plagued season continues, as Wilshere's injury compounds long-term spells for fellow central midfielders Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, Francis Coquelin, and Tomas Rosicky. Winger Danny Welbeck has also faced a setback and will be ruled out until February, while star attacker Alexis Sanchez is out until early January.

Arsenal host Bournemouth tomorrow looking to bounce back from Saturday's dismal one-sided defeat at Southampton.

Reports have suggested that the Gunners are poised to sign FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny in January's window, though that will do little to placate the injuries that hamper Monday's match.

"We are a bit short, I agree with you, because of the injuries we have. But sometimes as well the solution is inside and you have to accept that.

"We are a club which has always given a chance to players we have educated. People forget that sometimes and always want new faces. But we are a club with a tradition on that front as well and we have top players inside."