Arsenal: Jack Wilshere expresses delight over return and turns focus on Manchester United clash

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere looked delighted to return to action in front of the home fans when Arsenal took on Swansea City on Monday (11 May) night.

The England international, who is coming back from a prolonged ankle injury that saw him miss over five months of football, says he is pleased to be back on the pitch, as he looks to regain match fitness and his place in the starting XI.

"It's great to be back, especially at the Emirates. I came back last week, played 30 minutes at Hull, but it's always special to get back in front of your own fans. It felt good tonight," Wilshere is quoted as saying on Arsenal's official site.

It was not a great return for the Gunners star, as the north London club suffered their first defeat at home in the Premier League in 2015 against the Swans, who defended for most of the game before Bafetimbi Gomis nooded them ahead in the 86<sup>th minute of the game.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was in top form as he made a string of saves to keep Arsenal at bay earning himself the man of the match award.

"We dominated the first half but at the end of the day the only thing that matters is the result. We created chances and I thought Fabianski was brilliant tonight. We fell asleep for two minutes and at this level you can't do that," the English midfielder added.

Arsenal face a tough trip to Old Trafford next week to face Manchester United, who are in a race with the Gunners and City to finish in the top three in order to qualify directly for the Champions League group stages and avoid the early season qualifier.

Wilshere believes that the Gunners can take inspiration from their win over United in the FA Cup clash earlier in the season, but warned his teammates that they will have to turn up with a top quality performance and earn the right to win against the 20-time English champions.

"We've been there in the FA Cup this season and won, so we know what it takes. Our confidence will be high going there but we've got to perform. It's no good just going there thinking that we can beat them again because we've beaten them before. We've got to put in a performance, work hard and earn the right to win," Wilshere concluded.