Arsenal know they have an injury crisis on their hands, and they know they've had it for quite some time.But that doesn't mean they haven't been proactive in addressing the epidemic, even if they're unsure whether it's been caused by past practices, a possession-based system that invites heavy tackling or simply the type of players they've signed.During the summer the Premier League outfit convinced Shad Forsythe, who oversaw Germany's fitness regimen during the 2014 World Cup, to move to north London, and three years before that Arsenal opened a new medical facility at their Colney Training Centre that, according to the club's official website, was supposed to "play an important role in injury reduction and prevention."None of the measures taken, however, have been of any help to Jack Wilshere.On Thursday, as confirmed by Arsenal.com, the midfielder underwent surgery to his left ankle and "will be out for approximately three months."Having picked up the knock in last weekend's match against Manchester United, Wilshere has now suffered nine ankle injuries since being promoted to the senior Gunners squad in 2008. He has also missed more games than he's played over the course of his career, and with his absence manager Arsene Wenger will be short no fewer than nine players when the first ball is kicked at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.He'll miss Wilshere in particular.When healthy, few midfielders exhibit the same speed, commitment and close control as the 22-year-old, who is also an important member of the England setup. It's why Arsenal, according to Steve Stammers of the Mirror, were prepared to extend his contract a further two years, although their plans have likely been put on hold.They just cannot afford to build their future around a player who, more often than not, doesn't play. And unless they strike a physiological breakthroughan unlikelihood given both the frequency and severity of his fitness problemstheir aspirations for Wilshere should not exceed accommodating him when he's able and never taking for granted that he will be.To do so would both put undue pressure on him and be wildly unfair to the rest of the squad, the club, generally, and its fans. That is why the upcoming transfer windows should be used to bolster the midfield corps.Already, the Metro has reported that Arsenal would be willing to pay 36.6 million to pry Isco from Real Madridassuming, of course, that the Spanish giants would be open to selling the 22-year-old, who is rather more attack-minded than Wilshere.Then there is Everton's James McCarthya competent presence on the defensive side of the ball and one, according to the Mirror's John Cross, who could be headed for Emirates Stadium as well.There are several options in this regard, but the point is in the principle: Arsenal should not be planning for a future with Wilshere at the centre of it. That's not to say he can't be involved and considerably so when fit. It's merely being prudent.Not that it will be easy.As he has so often shown, Wilshere is an incredibly talented performer with an eagerness to always improve. To date his ambitions have been interrupted by injuries, and that's the real tragedy here.Follow @jerradpeters
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