Wenger to be cautious with Wilshere

Arsene Wenger has vowed to take special care with introducing Jack Wilshere back into Arsenal’s first team this season.

The midfielder failed to make a single appearance last season due to ankle injuries that he is still recovering from, but the Frenchman hailed Wilshere’s commitment to getting back to full fitness.

“October will be an important month for Jack,” Wenger said.

“I will promise you that I will be careful, but Jack works very hard. Every day he is in early, late going home, is focused and has built up a good basis for his body.

“After how quick he will be sharp again for competition, I don’t know. We will have to wait for at least a month to see that.”

Wenger has strengthened his attacking line-up considerably this summer with the signings of Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla offsetting Robin van Persie’s departure to Manchester United.

The 62-year-old revealed, however, that Eden Hazard, signed by Chelsea for 32 million pounds this summer, could have also been lining up for the Gunners, after attempts to sign the Belgian in 2010.

“Hazard we would have considered, yes, because we were a long time on the case, but there was such a competition for him – Man City and Chelsea, they fly a bit higher in the sky,” Wenger said.

“I tried. Two years ago, we were in touch with Lille, but they never wanted to sell him. They had a clause, and they decided only this year (to sell).

“Hazard is still a very young boy, and is a guy who has something special as you have seen already.”