Arsenal are currently touring Asia and played in Monday’s friendly against Nagoya Grampus which they won 3-1. This was their 3rd straight win in the pre-season after running riot in each of their first two games as they scored 7 goals in both of them. Apart from the ecstasy of a string of morale boosting wins, the Arsenal fans have not had much to cheer about.

They have, however, been handed a strong boost ahead of the start of the season, as their young midfield hero Jack Wilshere has returned to action. The England international underwent minor surgery on his ankle to get rid of a niggle after the previous season ended. He recuperated well post operation and was included in the squad for the tour.

He played 25 minutes in the second game, and played another 45 in Monday’s victory. He is gradually returning to fitness, much to the delight of everyone connected to the club. Wilshere spoke after the game and was in high spirits as he said, “I went into a few tackles, but if you don’t go in properly you can hurt yourself,”

“So I had to go into a couple of challenges. That’s my game. I can’t ever lose that or I wouldn’t be the player I am.

My ankle is fine. Obviously a game is different from training, so I’ve had a few aches and pains in other places, but the ankle is fine.”

While there is encouragement for the medical staff, there are new problems for them as Daily Mail reports that Spanish international Nacho Monreal has suffered a back injury and is set to sit out for the first few weeks of the new season. Arsenal too, are very short in the left-back slot following the sale of Andre Santos and injury to Thomas Vermaelen, who can operate as a makeshift left-back. With only Kieran Gibbs available to them, Wenger sure has some serious thinking to do.

Do we see a new defender being signed as a priority? Or any player being signed at all at this rate?