Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has played down fears over Jack Wilshere's fitness.

The England international has only recently returned to action after missing 17 months of football through injury and has since suffered inflammation to his ankle.

Wilshere didn't feature in the Gunners' 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, but Wenger insists that he rested the 20-year-old.

"First, it's a relief that he's had no setback [since returning to action]," said Wenger. "He had a little bit of inflammation of scar tissue (in the ankle) but it's nothing. It's very minor.

"The rest [against Villa] will help him get rid of it. Apart from that, he has done very well.

"He has not played for 17 months. People forget what that mean. Seventeen months in a career is massive. But I'm very happy with the way he is progressing."

Arsenal travel to Everton on Wednesday.