24 Sep 2011

Arsenal midfielder Wilshere needs surgery, out for months

1:32 pm on 24 September 2011

The Arsenal football team's stuttering start to the season has suffered another blow with news midfielder Jack Wilshere requires surgery on his troublesome ankle injury and will spend months on the sidelines.

Wilshere will have surgery after the stress fracture he suffered in his right ankle in a pre-season friendly in July failed to heal naturally.

The Premier League club defended their decision not to send the player for surgery sooner but the 13-times English champions say a more detailed timescale for Wilshere's return will be decided after the surgery, on his right ankle.

Arsenal have struggled without the talented central midfielder, slumping to an 8-2 loss to rivals Manchester United to sit 17th ahead of Sunday's home fixture against Bolton Wanderers.