Jack Wilshere has been speaking to the Daily Mail saying that he will be fit for the season start even though he feels as if he is still a bit behind his teammates in terms of match fitness.

Wilshere, who missed out on Arsenal’s first game of pre-season as he was suffering from a cold, underwent surgery during the summer to remove screws in his ankle which were causing problems.

Missing all of the 11-12 season, Wilshere struggled towards the end of the last campaign as the screws, which had been inserted during his lengthy lay-off, caused him pain.

He admitted that he felt good upon his return in October, however the Arsenal and England midfielder knows that a good pre-season will be key to him having a productive season in domestic competitions ahead of the World Cup in Brazil next year.

Wilshere said

‘I feel physically good but I’m a bit behind. I wasn’t able to do much for about six weeks but then I had a programme to follow and I feel good. I haven’t had a pre-season for two years so it’s like you’re always playing catch up. ‘There’s no long-term injury issues at all for me now. They took the screws out which was causing me a problem and hopefully there will be no problems in it for me. ‘The first game against Villa will be a massive target for me. I’ll be ready for the start of the season and then play as much as possible. ‘It was tough, especially at the end when I picked up the other injury and I came back and I wasn’t really playing like myself. ‘I felt really good when I came back first of all. After six or seven games, I felt really good and as if I was playing well. ‘The challenge for me is to maintain that level and play to the best of my ability. ‘I know I can do it but I just need a good pre-season and to get back to my best.’

Wilshere has recovered from his cold and is expected to line up for Arsenal today as they face Vietnam in Hanoi before heading to Japan with the res t of the squad for the final league of their Asia Tour.