Wilshere returns to Arsenal training

Published Sep. 20, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Jack Wilshere returned to full training with Arsenal on Thursday for the first time in 14 months, signaling an end to the injury problems that have plagued one of England's brightest young talents.

The 20-year-old midfielder was sidelined for the whole of last season with ankle, foot and heel injuries, forcing him to miss the summer's European Championship.

''It's been 14 months and that's a long time for someone at his age,'' Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. ''It's an eternity, but it's great news.

''We have to give him a few training sessions to see how he copes and responds to it. That's the delicate, sensitive stage.''

An explosive and creative ball-player, Wilshere burst onto the scene in the 2010-11 season, becoming a regular starter for Arsenal and breaking into the England team. He has only played five times for the national team but is already regarded as an integral part of its midfield.

In a further boost to Arsenal, which has started the season impressively by winning its opening Champions League match and remaining unbeaten after four Premier League games, Emmanuel Frimpong also resumed training this week after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury sustained in February.

Both Wilshere and Frimpong would provide competition for Santi Cazorla, Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta, who currently occupy Arsenal's three central-midfield positions.