The Mirror are reporting this evening that Jack Wilshere may have a hairline fracture of his shin which could keep him out for much longer than expected.

When the problem was first revealed Arsene Wenger said it was a ‘matter of days’ but it seems as if it could be worse than that.

Wilshere was apparently injured by a tackle from Gabriel during training and if surgery is required he could miss three months. Even without an operation it could be up to 8 weeks on the sidelines for the England man whose bad luck with injury now seems almost cruel.

He was absent from November to May last year after a shocking Paddy McNair challenge almost snapped his ankle, and this latest problem has come because of another tackle – albeit from a teammate.

Whether it speaks to an underlying weakness that’s too easily damaged remains to be seen, but it’s a hammer blow for Wilshere who had spoken about his fitness and desire to remain injury free this season.

Get well soon, Jack.