Arsene Wenger confirms Jack Wilshere layoff

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed speculation that Jack Wilshere will miss the start of the season.

Recent reports suggested that the 23-year-old had suffered a hairline fracture of his left fibula.

Wenger has now validated those rumours, having added that the England international will be sidelined for a "few weeks".

"The information you have heard about Jack Wilshere is right. I had a bad surprise because it is a hairline crack in his fibula that makes him a few weeks out," he told the club's official website.

"There is minimal damage apart from the bone damage - there is no damage at all apart from that. It was a collision in training and it was all completely accidental."

A persistent ankle injury limited Wilshere to just nine Premier League starts last term.