Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has said that midfielder Jack Wilshere must be eased back into the starting lineup at the Emirates.

Wilshere has been sidelined since the summer with an ankle issue, but is expected to return to action for the London club next month. However, Walcott insists that the England international must be given time to find his feet after such a long spell out.

"Seeing Jack in and around the dressing room and treatment room, he is as happy as ever," he told the club's official website.

"He is a very important player for us. Obviously he won the Young Player of the Year award last year which was deserved. He's also played for England and now he just needs to get back out on that pitch.

"You have to ease him back into it because he's had a long time out and he's only just turned 20. He has a long career ahead of him so we don't want to be overplaying him. But we'll use him the right way, I'm sure of it."

The Gunners are currently in fifth place in the Premier League, 12 points adrift of leaders Manchester City.