Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has played down fears over Jack Wilshere’s injury after the midfielder sat out the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa at the weekend.

The midfielder suffered an inflammation to the ankle which had previously kept him out of action for over a year.

Wenger insists that it is only a minor injury and is happy with Wilshere’s progress since his return to the side despite being an unused substitute against Villa.

“First, it's a relief that he's had no setback since returning to action," Wenger told Sporting life.

“He had a little bit of inflammation of scar tissue (in the ankle) but it's nothing. It's very minor.

“The rest (against Villa) will help him get rid of it. Apart from that, he has done very well.

“He has not played for 17 months. People forget what that mean. Seventeen months in a career is massive.

“But I'm very happy with the way he is progressing.”

Wenger also remains confident that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will develop into a key player for the Gunners after he looked below his best during the Premier League draw at Villa Park.

“Alex has not played a lot recently. He lacks a bit of physical fitness. He tried at Villa and in patches he looked dangerous,” the Frenchman added.

“He's learning his trade and he's a very talented young boy. I believe he will be a great player but at the moment he is learning his job.

“Basically, he's 19-years-old and there will be ups and downs, of course, but I believe he will be a great player.

“You need patience with every young player or you don't bring them out (see their potential fulfilled).

“That's why it's so different in our job where you see the demands of people who want you to bring young players out but also they have no patience so it's a bit of a contradiction.”

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