LONDON -- Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will miss Saturday's Premier League game against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium, but manager Arsene Wenger has stressed that his latest injury setback is not serious.
Wilshere suffered a kick on the knee in training and may also sit out Tuesday's Champions League clash against Anderlecht, but Wenger is confident that the England star will not spend another extended spell on the sidelines.
"It is a very, very short-term problem," Wenger said. "He got a kick on his knee. I don't know if Tuesday will be too early for him or not. At the moment he doesn't practice, but certainly Swansea [next weekend] yes."
The blow of losing Wilshere has been offset by the news that striker Olivier Giroud may play again in 2014, with the Frenchman on course to return to training as he recovers from a foot injury suffered against Everton in August.
"He's three weeks ahead of schedule, and I think he will join in with normal training after the international break," Wenger said. "He is miles ahead of schedule."
#INSERT type:image caption:Jack Wilshere should be back in action soon, according to Arsene Wenger. END#
Meanwhile, the Gunners boss is considering giving Theo Walcott a first-team return against Burnley, with the winger closing in on a comeback from the ligament injury suffered in an FA Cup tie against Tottenham in January.
"He has been out for too long to start the game," he added. "If I can give him some competition, I am happy to do it.
"He is eager, but that is always the period when the patience of the player is tested. They feel ready, they want to play and they realise only much later that they were not ready.
"I know Theo well, and he is a very intelligent player. He knows he's not completely there yet."