Jack Wilshere’s Arsenal return took a step in the wrong direction on Monday night as the England international was sent-off for his part in a mass brawl during an Arsenal Under-23s 4-3 victory against Manchester City.

The 25-year-old Wilshere was playing a leading role in the match against the City Under-23s, laying on an assist for Eddie Nketiah to score the Gunners’ third, but the game exploded into a melee in the 63rd minute when Wilshere was on the receiving end of a strong tackle from City’s Matt Smith.

Wilshere was sent crashing to the ground after passing the ball, and he reacted furiously by launching a hand into the face of Smith before leading with his head as the two clashed.

Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Butland 7 - out of 10 Kept Stoke in it with some crucial saves before and after the break. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Zouma 7 Superb at the back and came up with a couple of key last-ditch tackles on Hector Bellerin. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Shawcross 7 Part of an as-ever resilient Stoke defensive display. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Cameron 7 See Shawcross, Ryan. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Diouf 6 Just the one lapse of concentration as he switched off to allow Hector Bellerin in on goal. Was let off the hook by a poor finish. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Fletcher 6 Not the player he once was but was combative in the middle of the park and gave 100% - as always. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Allen 7 His ball retention was important as the Potters attempted to defend their lead. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Pieters 7 A more natural wing-back than Diouf and it showed as the majority of Arsenal’s attacks went down Stoke’s right side. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Berahino 7 Lively after replacing the injured Shaqiri. Forced Cech into smart stop Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Jese 8 A couple of bright moments in the first half before a fine debut goal just after half-time. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Choupo-Moting 6 Industrious but didn’t do much up front or on the right wing when Berahino came on. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Cech 6 Relatively untested in the first half and it would’ve been a big ask to keep out Jese’s strike. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Mustafi 5 Dilly-dallied for the Stoke goal. Should’ve challenged Berahino but stood off him and allowed him to pick Jese out for the opener. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Monreal 5 Wasn’t tight enough to Jese for Stoke’s opening goal. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Kolasinac 5 Still yet to really convince of his reliability at the back but it is early days. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Oxlade-Chamberlain 6 Ran up and down the right wing all game but needs to improve his final product. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Xhaka 5 Clumsy with his passing and gave the ball away for Stoke’s opening goal. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Ramsey 6 A lot tidier than Xhaka but no telling contribution to the game. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Bellerin 6 Looked good going forward but spurned a great chance to equalise just before the hour mark. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Ozil 6 Can’t fault him for effort but nothing really came off for him today. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Welbeck 6 The brightest of Arsenal’s three attackers but, as has been the main criticism of him throughout his career, just not ruthless enough in front of goal. Getty Stoke vs Arsenal player ratings Lacazette 5 Some neat touches in the first half but never really in the game and fell away after the break. Getty

A number of players from both sides rushed in to confront each other, while referee Samuel Allison attempted to separate the two sides. However, City defender Tyreke Wilson charged into the brawl to try and get to Wilshere, and Allison decided to send both of them off for their offences.

The trouble did not stop there though, with Wilshere and Wilson making their way down the tunnel before becoming embroiled in a second confrontation that required the pair to be separated by those close to them.

Wilshere thrusts his head into Smith after reacting badly to the tackle (Getty)

Jack Wilshere was sent-off during an Arsenal Under-23s match (Getty)

Jack Wilshere's return to Arsenal has not gone to plan so far (Getty)

Wilshere walks off the field before getting involved in a tunnel altercation with Tyreke Wilson (Getty)

Wilshere, who spent last season on loan with Bournemouth, is making his latest comeback from a fractured leg and has played twice for the Under-23s. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that Wilshere has a future at Arsenal, but with the midfielder in the final year of his contract, there is plenty of doubt over what his next move will be.

Despite being shown a straight red card, Wilshere will not serve a senior ban, with the regulations stating that he will miss three non-senior matches as punishment for the indiscretion.

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However, Wilshere was not impressed with the reporting of the story by one publication, with the midfielder taking exception to the headline of Sam Morgan’s report in The Sun.

“Evening Sam...Intrigued to hear more about how you think this is a career low for me? Would love a sit down with you? Look forward to it,” Wilshere wrote on Twitter.

Wilshere has not played for Arsenal since 27 August last year, having made two substitute appearances for the Gunners before joining Bournemouth on loan to seek regular first-team football after suffering significantly from injuries over the last three years.