Jack Wilshere will undergo a minor knee operation in Sweden later this week but Arsenal insist the midfielder remains on course to report for pre-season training on July 9.
The 20-year-old missed all of the last campaign with an ankle problem and failed to recover in time for Euro 2012.
Team GB boss Stuart Pearce named Wilshere on his 80-man shortlist for the Olympic Games but the club are reluctant to allow him to play to ensure his availability for the start of next season.
The Gunners claim Wilshere’s latest setback is only minor but the procedure casts further doubt on any involvement in London 2012 this summer.
“His ongoing rehabilitation has seen a long-standing slight issue with his patella tendon in his left knee flare up,” read an Arsenal statement.
“As a result, Jack will travel to Sweden for a minor procedure on his left knee in the next few days. This procedure is not expected to significantly affect Jack’s comeback ahead of next season. On returning to England, Jack will resume his rehabilitation with our medical team over the summer.”
Wilshere’s team-mate Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain was today celebrating his call-up to Roy Hodgson’s squad to travel to Poland and Ukraine and highlighted the significance of Theo Walcott’s presence alongside him.
Walcott was the last uncapped winger to be selected for England at a tournament finals in 2006 and Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is yet to make his senior debut after eight appearances for England’s Under‑21s, said: “It is massive to have Theo in the squad as well.
“Straight away, I thought about how good it would be having Theo there, I have a mate! I get on well with Theo and when I first came to Arsenal he took me under his wing to help me out. I’m really looking forward to it.”
