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Wenger admits Wilshere struggle

Image: Jack Wilshere: Arsenal midfielder struggling to be fit in time to play at Euro 2012

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hinted that Jack Wilshere is losing his race against time to play for England at Euro 2012.

Gunners boss won't take risks with midfielder's fitness

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hinted that Jack Wilshere is losing his race against time to play for England at Euro 2012. Wilshere has spent the entire season on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his injured ankle last September and Wenger has revealed the midfielder is "down". The 20-year-old has yet to train with the first team and is still confined to sessions by himself in the gym. Arsenal have five games remaining this season but Wenger remains cautious over whether Wilshere will play any part, insisting he will not gamble with the midfielder's long-term fitness.

Slow progress

"I will not take any risks with him," said Wenger. "He is making slow progress so we still have to monitor the situation a little bit at the moment. "We are now in mid-April, the Euros start in the middle of June. "Jack has not played for the whole season and anyone who knows what is required at the top level, in terms of intensity, it's getting short now." When asked if Wilshere's spirits were high, Wenger added: "How can you be at 20 years of age when your only dream is to play football? He's down. "Jack is mentally strong. But what is holding him back is that he can't play football, so he can't be happy."

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