Published: 9 April, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

JACK Wilshere is ready and raring to play a part in Arsenal’s end-of-season run in, admitting that he has one-eye on next weekends FA Cup semi-final showdown against Reading at Wembley. 

The midfielder has been on the sidelines since injuring his ankle against Manchester United in November. Two operations and four months later and Wilshere finally feels ready to return to the first team after completing 90 minutes for Arsenal Under-21s on Tuesday. 

“You can train as much as you like but you can’t get that match fitness unless you play,” the 23-year-old told Arsenal.com. 

“In the Premier League you know how quick it is so you have to get back to that speed. I feel like I’m ready to play some part. When you’re injured you look at your comeback date and the games around that time. The one that stands out is obviously the FA Cup semi-final. But even before that we’ve got big games, and we’ve got to go to Manchester United as well so there’s certainly a chance to play this season.” 

Wilshere, who is being tipped to make the bench on Saturday when Arsenal travel to Burnley, started alongside Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby in a strong-looking Under-21s side on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium. 

Young gun Alex Iwobi stole the show as he scored a hat-trick, while Stephy Mavididi was also on target as Steve Gatting’s team came from a goal down to win 4-1 against Stoke City.