Jack Wilshere has admitted that he is "devastated" to hear of Arsenal teammate Mesut Ozil's three-month layoff, but insisted that there is no injury curse at the club.
Arsenal's injury record was thrown into the spotlight in recent days after it was reported that the Gunners have suffered nearly 900 injuries in a 12-year period.
Ozil is the latest to break down after being ruled out for 12 weeks with a knee complaint, but Wilshere is adamant that the club's extensive injury list does not indicate a larger issue at hand.
"We are devastated for Mesut because he can play in that No 10, we have seen what he can do at No 10. We have players who can come in," he told The Mirror.
"It's tough to take but it is part and parcel of football. I have had my fair few injuries. It is not a curse it happens and you just have to deal with it.
"It will be hard for [Ozil] because he likes football, he has never really had an injury before. He had a slight one last season."
Mathieu Debuchy, Olivier Giroud, Mikel Arteta, Theo Walcott, Yaya Sanogo, Serge Gnabry, Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby and Nacho Monreal are among those presently ruled out for the Gunners.
