Arsene Wenger admits even he has been taken aback by Jack Wilshere's development, with the England starlet set to return to the Arsenal side for the Champions League Group H clash at Shakhtar Donetsk.
Wenger has brought through many talented youngsters, moulding them into world-class players - such as Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who misses the trip to Ukraine because of a hamstring problem.
The Gunners boss, however, has also long championed the need for patience with Wilshere.
The 18-year-old has grabbed the headlines for some impressive displays - as well as his needless red card against Birmingham - since his return from a productive loan spell at Bolton which saw the combative midfielder rewarded with a new, long-term deal.
Wenger, though, admits even he did not envisage things would go so well in a short space of time for the teenager, who won his first full England cap at the start of the season.
"I am very much surprised. I didn't expect that to happen so quickly," Wenger said. "You have to be open-minded in our job and most of the time when it happens like that you are happy."
Source: PA