Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will miss the final two preseason games with a knee injury.

Wilshere was included in the squad for games against Viking in Norway on Friday and Manchester City in Sweden on Sunday.

The England international picked up a patella problem during the Gunners' tour of California, when he missed the second of two games.

Manager Arsene Wenger said Wilshere's problem was minor and had hoped the midfielder could take part in the Scandinavia trip.

However, the club confirmed on Thursday that Wilshere "drops out of the squad after picking up a knee injury."

Wilshere missed nearly all of last season with a broken ankle but played for England at Euro 2016.

�������� Here's our travelling squad for Scandinavia Full team news �� https://t.co/z29fL54iUg pic.twitter.com/YEnYitiqDp - Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) 4 August 2016

In better news for the Gunners, Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey returned to training on Thursday.

Centre-back Gabriel Paulista is also back after missing the U.S. trip with tonsillitis as manager Arsene Wenger tries to cope with a shortage of experienced central defenders.

Per Mertesacker is out with a knee injury, while Laurent Koscielny has yet to return to training after France's run to the Euro 2016 final.

Gabriel and Calum Chambers could be the only two senior centre-backs available for the opening Premier League game against Liverpool on Aug.14 unless Wenger can sign a replacement for Mertesacker in the coming days.