Arsenal vs West Bromwich Albion: Alex Iwobi delighted with Jack Wilshere's return to first-team

Alex Iwobi is delighted to have Jack Wilshere back in the first-team and has heaped praise on the Arsenal midfielder ahead of his imminent return to action. The English midfielder has been sidelined with a fractured fibula since the start of the season and is in line to make his first appearance this week.

Arsene Wenger admitted that Wilshere could return for Arsenal's clash against Sunderland on 24 April after he completed the entire 90 minutes on two occasions with the Gunners U21 side earlier in the month. The 24-year-old midfielder's drive from midfield has been missed during the campaign, which has seen Arsenal go from title challengers to top four hopefuls, and Iwobi believes that his return can aid them in their final five games of the season, as they look to secure a place in the top four.

The Nigeria international, who made a first-team breakthrough this season, has admitted that Wilshere is a huge inspiration for youth team players. Like the England international, Iwobi has been at Arsenal since the age of eight and has revealed that they used to try and replicate the midfielder's skills with the ball, especially his no-touch turn, which he uses to make space when closed down by players.

"He's helped me out massively... he's brilliant on the ball, he's able to find space and he's the master of the no-touch turn. He doesn't even need to touch the ball, he just shields it with his body and turns away from defenders with ease," Iwobi told Arsenal's official site ahead of their clash against West Bromwich Albion scheduled on 21 April.

"It's something that us youth team players used to watch and then try in training. He's a big inspiration for us. A couple of times in training we used to get together and practice the 'Jack Wilshere turn', but nobody can do it as well as he can!

"It will be great to have him back. He's definitely a player with lots of energy but he combines that with scoring goals and getting assists. He's definitely a key player to the team in my opinion," he added.