England and Arsenal sweat on injuries to Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere

Posted Friday, August 05, 2011 by The Sun

JACK WILSHERE and Theo Walcott could miss the start of the season for Arsenal and England.

Midfielder Wilshere and winger Walcott have ankle problems and will miss Arsenal's final pre-season friendly against Benfica in Lisbon tomorrow.

The England duo are also struggling for next Wednesday's friendly against Holland at Wembley - and face a race against time to be fit for the opening Premier League clash at Newcastle on Saturday week.

Wilshere, Walcott and Samir Nasri, who also has an ankle knock, missed training at the Emirates yesterday at a members' day in front of 5,000 fans.

Yet Cesc Fabregas, who has yet to play pre-season, was in action and is set to be on the plane to Lisbon this afternoon.

But the Barcelona target may miss Arsenal's Champions League play-off in two weeks so he is not cup-tied.

After training yesterday, Fabregas and Manchester City target Nasri posed for promotional club pictures.

But due to bad weather, Arsenal's official team pictures were cancelled, saving them having more than one taken to allow for the departure of Nasri or Fabregas - or both.