Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has expressed his pride at being given the club's number 10 shirt for the 2012-13 season.

Wilshere has been handed the symbolic number following the departure of striker Robin van Persie to Manchester United.

The 20-year-old is currently out with injury but is expected to make his return to competitive action in October after over 12 months on the sidelines.

Wilshere is delighted to have been given the number 10 shirt and insists that he is now more motivated than ever to make his comeback.

"It's such an honour for me," he told Arsenal's official website. "Getting the number 10 shirt again at the club means so much to me as I wore it all through the youth teams at Arsenal.

"It has a special place for all attacking or creative players. I feel proud to wear it now after some real club legends have worn it, such as Dennis Bergkamp.

"Now I am even more excited about returning to action and honouring the shirt."

Arsenal will begin their Premier League campaign with a home game against Sunderland on Saturday.