Wenger surprise at Wilshere progression

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