Jack's back! Arsenal midfielder Wilshere returns but NOT guaranteed place for title run-in

ARSENE WENGER says fit-again Jack Wilshere is not guaranteed a place in the Arsenal side in the final weeks of the season.

Jack WilshereGETTY

Jack Wilshere is fit again for Arsenal

Wilshere came through an Under-21 game unscathed earlier in the week and is now available for the first team ahead of Saturday's trip to Burnely.

But Arsenal have been on a seven-game winning streak in the midfielder's absence and Wenger will now face a tough decision about how best to reintergrate the England international.

Speaking about the impact he expects Wilshere to have in the closing weeks of the season, Wenger said: "Everybody can have a big impact, Jack included.

"It depends on the game, it depends on the fitness, it depends on availability and the need of the team.

"Everybody is exactly rated the same and you respect everybody. You want everybody to just contribute to the team.

"I do not want to speak about individual selection.

"There are 25 individual cases that all deserve to play.

Asked about the wisdom of the phrase ‘Never change a winning team’, Wenger responded: “There is never a never in football.”

Burnley v Arsenal - Premier League Preview

There is never a never in football

Arsene Wenger

Wenger admitted that he did have sympathy with Wilshere's injury frustrations, but says other Arsenal stars have had it worse.

He added: "Every player who doesn’t play is very frustrated when he cannot perform.

"Diaby has been out for a year, Walcott has been out for a year.

"Wilshere has played many games this year. He has been out but not as long as Walcott or Diaby."

Wilshere's place in the side is further complicated by as many as five other first-teamers looking to make a return from injury against Burnley.

Wilshere and Diaby were joined by Mikel Arteta in playing for the Under-21s while Mathieu Debuchy, Laurent Koscielny and Wojciech Szczesny could all also play a part against the Clarets.

Wenger said: “Yeah they [Diaby, Arteta and Wilshere] came through well. They were at a good level physically and they should all be available from now on until the end of the season, hopefully.

“Debuchy is alright. I can only play 3 players over 21 [in the Under 21s] so he is physically fit and ready. He lacks a bit of match practice, competitive edge, but overall he has no medical problems.

“Koscielny will have a test today to see how far we can go with him. He had a scan yesterday, that looks quite good. The real test will be outside today.

“Wojciech has a problem. He has a test today but he has a good chance to be available for Saturday.”

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