London – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen to have Jack Wilshere return from an ankle injury for the Premier League leaders' match away to Liverpool on Saturday.
The Gunners will travel north to Merseyside looking to at least maintain their two-point advantage over Manchester City and Chelsea following the latter's 1-0 win over the former on Monday.
Wenger said Thursday that he expected England midfielder Wilshere to be fit for the Anfield clash, having missed last weekend's 2-0 win against Crystal Palace.
If Wilshere is available, it will be especially welcome news for Arsenal given Mathieu Flamini is suspended while both Aaron Ramsey and deadline day loan signing Kim Kallstrom are injured
“We might have Wilshere back and that's basically it. (Mikel) Arteta is all right,” Wenger said.
“It is important to have as many players back as possible in the squad,” the Frenchman added.
“In the big games it is always decided by having the complete squad available.
“As many top players as possible because most of the time theses games are decided by players who come on or strong players who have a big statement in a big game.”
Saturday's match will see Arsenal up against in-form Liverpool striker Luis Suarez – a player they tried but ultimately failed to lure to north London with a bid of £40 million ($65 million, 48million euros).
Uruguay international Suarez has since scored 23 Premier League goals for Liverpool already this season and signed a new contract with the Reds.
But Wenger insisted he's no regrets in trying to bring Suarez to Liverpool.
“No, because you have sometimes regrets when a player played for you, and scores goals or does well somewhere else,” he said.
“He was never our player. It is just a situation that did not come off and that is it.”
Wenger added: “For us the important thing is to win the game. After, the fact that what happened in the summer is nothing to do with that.
“If you want to win the game what is for sure is that he is one of the players that you have to keep quiet.” – Sapa-AFP