Arsene Wenger feels midfielder Jack Wilshere will be able to show his true potential this season – provided he can stay injury-free.

The Arsenal boss feels the England man needs a run of six months without any setbacks in order to establish himself in the team and get up to full speed.

The 23-year-old has suffered a succession of injury woes since breaking into the Gunners team five years ago.

Last season, he managed only 14 Premier League appearances having been ruled out for six months after undergoing ankle surgery in November.

He returned at the end of the campaign, scoring a memorable goal against West Brom in the final home game of the season before also grabbing his first England goals in the 3-2 Euro 2016 qualifier win against Slovenia in June.

Wenger says Wilshere has the ability to be a top performer for Arsenal but he admits he needs a run of games.

“He’s a top-class player with a top-class potential,” Wenger said on the club’s official website. “No matter how good you are in life, you need to have a consistent presence at the top.”

The Frenchman said one of his key hopes this season is to see Wilshere injury free and he fully expects the player to prove his worth if granted a run of games.

“What you wish for Jack is that he can compete now for six months without any problem, or for a year without any problem, and then you will see the player we all know he is,” said Wenger.

Arsenal are 5.00 to win the Premier League this season, while champions Chelsea are 2.50 and Manchester United are 6.00.