The Injury Struggles of Arsenal's Jack Wilshere: An Escalating Tragedy

It perhaps has the makings of being one of the great tragedies in modern-day English football, as all of the promise and ability looks like it is being cruelly robbed from one of the nation's most promising players.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has today revealed that the club's talented young midfielder, Jack Wilshere, will not return to action until October at the earliest (via Goal.com).

The announcement proves only the latest notch in a devastating saga that had begun in relatively modest circumstances last summer.

On paper, it seems like a terrible joke.

After picking up a seemingly innocuous injury in a meaningless preseason friendly with the New York Red Bulls, Wenger predicted that Wilshere would be sidelined for no more than a week.

The problem was later diagnosed as a stress fracture to his right ankle.

Over a year later, and after countless injury setbacks, there appears to be no end in sight for the poor lad. There have been operations, hours spent in the doctor's office and countless more in the gym in rehab.

In January this year, weeks away from a potential return, Wilshere suffered an injury in the same foot—this time a stress fracture to his heel.

He has not only missed an entire season of football as a result, but also a major European championship, in which he would have almost certainly starred for his nation.

It was confirmed only a few months ago that he had damaged the patella tendon in his knee, resulting in yet another surgery.

Put in perspective, his setbacks have transcended inter-league rivalries, as any fan of English football must certainly pray he can eventually recover and go on to star for both club and country.

It would take a heart of stone not to feel any sympathy for young Jack Wilshere, as it is hard to forget the similar tale of one Owen Hargreaves, for whom injury also stopped dead a career in its prime.

The only saving grace, and the difference between Wilshere's tale and Hargreaves', is their respective ages.

Wilshere is only 20 years old, and may yet come to fulfill his enormous potential.

But if he doesn't, and fails to overcome his ever increasing physical issues, his tragedy will far eclipse that of Hargreaves'.