Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere says his current ankle injury is 'mentally the toughest one to take' of his career.

Wilshere has missed the start of the Premier League season after sustaining a hairline fracture in his right ankle following a 'freak accident' during pre-season training.

The 23-year-old told Goals on Sunday that while he was pleased with how his recovery is progressing, he has found the rehabilitation process mentally challenging.

"The recovery is going well but it's frustrating of course. I think this one was mentally the toughest one to take because I had a good pre-season," Wilshere said.

"It was literally the day before the Community Shield match. I was ready, fit and expected to play and then all of a sudden it happened. It was just a freak accident and it is tough. But I've got good people around me, good family and friends and they really help.

"But it's going well. I'm pain free, out the boot and off the crutches and moving around. As I said, this one was mentally the toughest one to take.

"I've done it so many times where I've put a date on it and then people say I've a setback if I'm a week late. I had surgery five weeks ago and it's going good. I'm in the gym every day."