Arsene Wenger has admitted that on-loan star Jack Wilshere could have had a part to play in Arsenal’s season by now.

After breaking into the Arsenal first team during the 2010/11 campaign, Wilshere endured several seasons of being sidelined by injuries.

That resulted in the decision to loan him to Bournemouth where has improved his poor fitness record and put together a string of encouraging performances so far this term.

After temporarily saying goodbye to Mohamed Elneny, who will be on African Cup of Nations duty for at least a month, while Francis Coquelin nurses a hamstring problem, Arsenal are suddenly not spoilt for choice in the central midfield position.

Thus, Wenger has admitted this is a time Wilshere would certainly not be on the bench if he had not been sent out on loan.

“Yes, I could use him now. But if he had not played until now, he would not be ready to play now. What looks unfair is that at some moment in the season you know you could need the player.” the Arsenal manager said

“But even at the start of the season you need to have the right balance between competition and numbers and chances for the player to play.

“And still today I think it was the right decision for him to go to Bournemouth.”

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