Jack Wilshere omitted from latest Arsenal pre-season squad after picking up knee injury

Jack Wilshere has been omitted from the Arsenal squad travelling to Norway and Sweden for friendlies against Viking FK and Manchester City after picking up a knee injury.

Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey are set to make their first appearances of the pre-season, having returned from summer breaks following Copa America and Euro 2016 campaigns with Chile and Wales respectively.

Brazilian centre-half Gabriel is also back in the squad after recovering from an illness that ruled him out of the pre-season trip to the US.

Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny are yet to return to training following their endeavours, with France while Mesut Ozil has not made the trip, having only returned to London this week. He and the French duo are not due back at London Colney until next week.

Wilshere, however, sees his final preparations ahead of the 2016-17 season disrupted by yet another injury. The England international made just one start for the Gunners last term – on the final day of the season – after suffering a hairline fracture in his left fibula last August.

Speaking after the club's pre-season friendly against Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara on 30 July, Wenger confirmed the 24-year-old had picked up another knock, but felt he would be fit enough to make trip with the rest of the squad.

"It's a slight patella problem but I think he should be with us on tour on Thursday," Wenger said.

Wilshere underwent surgery for the third time in less than a year last September, his sixth time under the knife in four years. He joins Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck on the sidelines.

Summer signing Rob Holding, who scored in the 3-1 win over Chivas, Krystian Bielik, Gedion Zelalem, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Chris Willock are among the young Arsenal hopefuls to also make the trip.

Arsenal take on Viking in Norway on 5 August before meeting Manchester City in Gothenburg on 7 August.