ARSENAL midfielder Jack Wilshere hopes the latest operation on his troublesome ankle will prove the last as he looks to recover full fitness for the new Gunners season.

The 21-year-old is set for surgery in the coming days to remove a pin inserted during a previous procedure, which has hampered his progress during the closing weeks of the Premier League campaign as he was limited to mostly substitute appearances using painkillers.

Wilshere is set to miss England's summer friendlies – including the clash with Ireland at Wembley – but is optimistic about the future with Arsenal.

Arsenal face a crucial two-legged Champions League play-off, having beaten Newcastle 1-0 on the final day of the season to remain in fourth place in the league table ahead of Tottenham and Wilshere is delighted to be back among Europe's elite.

"Personally, you want to be playing at the top and being in the Champions League and playing against the likes of Ronaldo and Messi, players like that, that's where you want to be and you can only improve," he said

Arsenal are expected to look to bolster their squad this summer, with manager Arsene Wenger set to have the best part of £100million available for transfers and wages.

Arrivals

France U21 forward Yaya Sanogo is set to join on a free from Auxerre and will be the first of several new arrivals.

He said: "Arsenal could be a great club for me."

Wenger is understood to have targeted offensive additions, including the likes of Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic, but could yet be put off by his £30m valuation.

Real Madrid frontman Gonzalo Higuain and even England forward Wayne Rooney are other reported targets.

Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek and Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar are others said to be on Wenger's radar.

German forward Lukas Podolski has been linked with a switch to Juventus, but he told a German newspaper: "I have a contract with Arsenal.

"There is no reason to leave the club."