Jack Wilshere is back and hoping to play against Sunderland (Picture: Getty Images)

Well that’s that then. Arsenal can do no more than finish in the top four.

With Manchester City seemingly rejuvenated by their Champions League progress and the return of Kevin de Bruyne, even third place could prove beyond Arsenal. The two meet on the penultimate Sunday of the season.

And if Arsenal’s eye wanders from the ball during the run-in, Manchester’s other lot could even challenge for fourth. The four-point gap between Arsenal and United below them looks more likely to erode than the eight-points between them and Tottenham in second place.

With three of the bottom four still to play, finishing outside of the top four is unthinkable. But at Christmas we were saying the same about the top two. Anyway you wrap it, the second half of the season has been a disaster.




Crystal Palace can relate. They were fifth at Christmas but they – like the rest of us – must have known it couldn’t last. I’m not sure Arsenal felt the same.

Wilshere targets Sunderland match

Arsene Wenger confirmed Jack Wilshere would be considered for a first team return after playing for the development side this week.

‘I think he needs one more game at least. He will play for the Under-21s on Monday night and I will have to see how he is compared to his competitors.’

Wilshere came through another 90 minutes of action – scoring in the home defeat to West Brom – but alarm bells were ringing in the first half when he crumpled to the ground holding his knee.

However, after a little treatment, the England midfielder was able to continue before scoring the Arsenal equaliser on 51 minutes. Wilshere has been pencilled in for a return against Sunderland next weekend.

Santi Cazorla has also returned to Arsenal training (Picture: Getty Images)

Cameras catch Cazorla training with the first team

Arsenal supporters received an unexpected boost this week when Santi Cazorla was pictured with the first team in training on Saturday.

The Spanish midfielder has been sidelined since rupturing knee ligaments at Norwich in November while an Achilles tendinitis problem has hampered his recovery in recent weeks.

Arsenal will consider behind-closed-doors friendly games to help the Spaniard get back up-to speed with the Under-21s season now over.

Attacking pair pushing to be fit

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ‘still on fitness work’ with the England winger expected to be another week or two. Tomas Rosicky is edging closer to a return although Wenger elected not to involve the Czech midfielder in Monday’s development match.

Arsenal injury news Santi Cazorla

Injury: Achilles Tendonitis.

Estimated return date: Late April / early May. Jack Wilshere

Injury: Hairline fracture of the fibula.

Estimated return date: Possible return against Sunderland. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Injury: Knee ligament injury.

Estimated return date: Late April / early May. Tomas Rosicky

Injury: Thigh muscle strain.

Estimated return date: Lacking fitness. April.