Wilshere plays full reserves game

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere took another step towards his full return to action by completing 90 minutes in a friendly against Chelsea Wednesday afternoon.

The England international has been out for more than a year with niggling ankle and knee injuries, but came through this afternoon's specially-arranged match at the Gunners' training complex unscathed.

Wilshere, 20, is now likely to continue his rehabilitation with another game in the Under-21s at Everton on Monday, and could then perhaps make the squad for the away Capital One Cup tie at Reading on October 30.

Right-back Bacary Sagna, who has been sidelined since the end of last season by a broken leg, also completed the whole game, which Chelsea won 2-0, as the France international closes in on his own return.

Combative midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong was another in action, and could be considered for the trip to struggling Norwich on Saturday having recovered from a second serious knee injury.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was today assessing his squad as they slowly returned from international duty.

However, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have a day's less recovery time as he started on the bench for England in their delayed World Cup qualifier against Poland in Warsaw.

Forward Theo Walcott, meanwhile, remains doubtful for Saturday's evening kick-off at Carrow Road after he was pole-axed by San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini at Wembley and continues to receive treatment for what is understood to be a badly-bruised chest.

Vito Mannone looks set to feature again in goal as Wojciech Szczesny recovers from a niggling ankle problem.

Meanwhile, it has been reported fellow Poland international Lukasz Fabianski, who had been troubled with a back problem, is set for another spell on the sidelines with his own ankle injury suffered in training this week.